Disclaimer: Nothing but most parts of the plot (save some references) are mine. The glorious rest belongs to JKR and her evil henchmen *hrhrhr*

Thanks: As usual my thanks go to my wonderful beta Licelli who never tires telling me how to do it right :-) I also thank the readers who put the story on their alert and favourite lists and gave me such wonderful, sometimes really long reviews. It's good to hear from you ... you rock! :-)

And now, please enjoy!


Chapter 8

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Being alone had never bothered Harry much. As a child he never had friends to play with; Dudley had done his best to scare other kids away that wanted to befriend him. In the Dursleys' house he had never been allowed to do family things with his relatives. But seeing that he had always regarded them as mean he had spent his time alone, mostly with wandering the streets and avoiding his cousin and his gang or reading and doing his homework. The only kind thing Aunt Petunia had done to him these days was leaving the door of his cupboard open so he had enough light to read and write.

But now he didn't need his aunt to leave a door open. Light streamed through the big windows and he could basically do whatever he wanted. Happily he wandered through the whole house, now taking a first peek in Snape's room. It was orderly, almost boringly so. No clothes were lying around, and the desk was clean. The bed was made, of course, and Harry didn't have the impression that a full grown man had slept in there last night. Twinky was cleaning the rooms, of course, but Sirius' and Remus' room still looked lived in, not sterile as it did here.

Harry sighed. Of course Snape wouldn't feel comfortable in a house full of people he disliked. He turned on his heel and swept down the corridors, until he reached the library. He knew that they had found enough spells, hexes and curses to learn for the next term, but somehow he had the feeling that they still needed more.

Frowning, he stalked along the high bookshelves and read the titles on the spines of the books.

"There are just too many," he muttered. He then turned around and called for Twinky.

The elf appeared with a soft popping noise and looked at him expectantly. "What can Twinky do for Master Harry, Sir?" she asked in her high-pitched voice.

"I wondered if you'd know some really good books about curses and jinxes," he said. "We looked through a lot of books yesterday but I'm not quite satisfied yet." He took a sheet of parchment from a small table and handed it to her. "These are the books we're already through."

Twinky scanned the list with clever eyes and then nodded enthusiastically. "Twinky knows good books for Master Harry!" she squealed. "Twinky will get them for Master Harry, Sir!" She took off and collected books at a breakneck-speed. When she was done the table was full with at least twenty books and Twinky assured that they had very potent spells in them.

"Are they dark?" Harry asked suspiciously. "I mean, not that I care, but if the Ministry has a dark magic detector or something like that I'm in trouble."

"They're not very dark, Master Harry," replied Twinky and smiled widely. "The room on the fourth floor is shielding, Master Harry, Sir."

They grinned at each other, and then Harry took the books in his arms, thanked Twinky and went back to his room. He didn't plan on reading right away. There was the their own study plan awaiting.

Whistling, he climbed up the stairs. In one hand he held his wand, in the other the curriculum. He just hoped that the room was really magic-proof. If Umbridge got him for this one he would be doomed. But Twinky had assured him that the room had the heaviest wards and that all the House Elves of the Black family had put their own shielding magic in them as well. Harry trusted her judgement, she was the housekeeper after all and what would they do with a House Elf they couldn't trust?

He entered the shabby room, feeling pleasant memories about his and Snape's fight wash over him. When he shut the door the wards surged up and closed the room completely. He raised his wand and put some more wards up, mostly privacy charms and a spell they had found yesterday in the library. Hermione hadn't put it in their study plan – at Hogwarts they didn't have to hide – but he had scribbled it down on the edge of his parchment. He felt the spell merge with the original wards and knew that it had worked.

Harry placed the papers on the ruined table and raised his wand. He chose a binding spell they wouldn't be taught at Hogwarts. He would have to practice without victim, but he didn't want to hex Twinky, and they also didn't have a Boggart in the house right now. Then he had an idea. He quickly transfigured a broken chair into a cat. Even if it was a transfigured animal he still felt sorry for hexing it. He decided to keep the pain-inflicting spells for later and just stun the poor thing and try out the stumbling charm and all the trap jinxes they had found.

"Okay kitty, brace yourself," he muttered before calling out the first hex.

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It was past five o'clock in the afternoon when Twinky appeared in the training room. She eyed him a bit warily; Harry thought it had to be because he looked a bit wild with his wand in his hand and his overall sweaty appearance.

"Master Harry, Masters Sirius and Remus are back!" she said excitedly. "And they asked where Master Harry is."

"I'll go downstairs," replied Harry. "I think I did enough for today, anyway."

Twinky nodded and popped out. Harry stuffed his wand in the back pocket of his jeans, rolled the curriculum up and left the room. He was mindful of leaving his personal ward intact. That way he wouldn't have to do it again next time.

Harry ran down to his room, tore his sweaty clothes off on his way to the bathroom, and jumped under the shower. He just washed himself off quickly; it didn't even take five minutes to do so. He was lucky that his wand was lying on the heap of clothes; otherwise he would've used it to dry himself off with a quick charm. But he remembered in time and towelled himself dry with a large, fluffy towel. His hair was still wet but Harry didn't care. He yanked some new clothes out of his wardrobe, put them on and then ran down to meet Sirius and Remus.

When he entered the Living Room he was met with a sight to behold. Sirius and Remus stood amidst a mountain of parcels and already unpacked things. A wave of cool, unfamiliar magic crept over Harry's skin, and he involuntarily stepped back a bit. Apparently the usually warm feeling of power and welcome was tainted by the objects Remus and Sirius had brought with them. The scariest thing of it all was, however, that the foreign magic seemed to merge with the magic of the house. As if the things belonged to Black Mansion somehow. Harry stepped cautiously closer, looking at the parcels distrustfully.

"What is that?" Harry asked. He felt the beginnings of anger forming and he could only explain it with a feeling of betrayal. "These are dark objects. Why did you buy them?"

Remus turned around and looked rather guilty. "Oh, Harry, it's not quite like it seems."

Harry snorted. "As if! I caught you red-handed! I thought you hated all things dark! Especially you, Sirius."

Sirius turned around, looking rather satisfied with himself. In that moment Harry wanted to punch him really hard but he stopped himself in favour of an explanation.

"Oh, I did. But times change, Harry. You'll see sooner or later." Sirius turned to a carton and ripped it open. He took a beautifully crafted knife out of it and turned it in the light admiringly. "Look at this. It's a special dagger that has helped me a lot before I got arrested in Azkaban."

"What does it do?" asked Harry hatefully. "Did you slit somebody's throat with it?"

Sirius looked at him and grinned. "Exactly."

Harry felt the air leaving his lungs, and he could just stare at his godfather. Shocked, he saw for the first time in three years the man who could be a murderer if he wanted to be. But then Remus tutted and destroyed the clammy atmosphere.

"Sirius, you shouldn't do that to him!" he admonished. "Harry, don't take this too seriously." Remus glared at his friend. "That dagger has never drawn blood. But it works nonetheless." He took the dagger out of Sirius' hand and held it at his own throat. "If I said the words and then made that slicing motion I would be mute for three weeks exactly."

Sirius looked at Harry sternly. "I just wanted to tease you. I'm sorry. But I was being honest when I said that I slit people's throats with it. I silenced a lot of Death Eaters or people who had seen me. No spell or potion can lift the ban from the person. They just have to sit it out."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Harry glared at his godfather. "Don't do that ever again, or I'll hex you! I don't care that Umbridge will get me!"

Sirius laughed and nodded. "Understood. Now come and go through the things with us. Most of them belonged to my family anyway before the Ministry demanded all things dark banished. Of course the Blacks were under close scrutiny, along with the Malfoys and some other families you know too."

Harry opened a parcel and took a book out. In it were some absolutely horrid poisons and draughts, and he quickly put it away. The next thing was a mirror that bewitched every stranger in the house to stare only at his mirror image, lose their sense of reality and forget their orders. It was still veiled; Sirius had to adjust it to the Order and Harry and his friends first before it could be used as a protection device.

After a few minutes of unpacking Harry sat back and stared at Sirius and Remus. "I understand why you'd want your old stuff back but why are you so keen all of a sudden? I mean you hated your family and you hated this house and you wanted to be away from here," he said.

Sirius sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "As I said, times are changing. I hated my family and for what it stood. I hated the Dark because it made them kill and hate." His blue eyes looked at Remus, then at the unpacked things. "But now I'm my own person and can do whatever I want. And I want this house, my heritage, the money, my family and my mate. Nobody can take this from me." He slung an arm around Harry's shoulder and squeezed him lightly. "I want the dark magic back because it's part of who I am. I might have hated my family but I'm also a Black. And I like it."

"But you won't start to like Voldemort all of a sudden, right?" Harry asked suspiciously.

Sirius choked comically and then started to laugh, and he laughed and laughed and laughed until he had aching sides and was doubled over in exhaustion. When he had calmed down enough to speak he said in between hiccups and chuckles, "Oh hell, no! Never! There's no way I'm associating with that sorry excuse of a wizard! I rather thought we could use all these artefacts against him."

"Well, how good that you can find that funny!" said Harry testily. "But the worst is that you," he glared accusingly at Remus, "are helping him with that!"

"Harry," said Remus soothingly, "both Siri and I are strictly anti-Voldemort, and you know that. It's just … I'm comfortable with his heritage and that he wants to turn a little bit darker." He looked ashamed but also hopeful. "I am dark, too, Harry, my werewolf side is dark. Besides, Sirius is right. Now that his family is gone he can create a completely new generation of Blacks." He smiled gently. "I would like that, you know. He can make many things better than his parents."

"And I will," said Sirius, pecking Remus lightly on the cheek. It was the first public display of affection Harry had ever seen them give, besides that sloppy kiss in London, that is. "Now let's get that stuff in the basement. Harry, would you bring the books into the library? Be careful, the blue one bites occasionally, you have to swat it into submission."

Harry shrugged. "Sure, whatever. Just don't spend the next hour down there." He smirked when both Sirius and Remus turned a little bit pink in their faces. "And you can just say it if you want some time alone. I'm a big boy now."

Whistling, Harry collected the books. The blue one didn't put up much of a fight fortunately. The way to the library was very short. Harry put the books on a table and took a random book and opened it to pass some time. Twinky appeared while he read and stuffed the other books away. Harry was just glad it wasn't the book with the poisons and other creepy stuff. He thought that Snape might like it but Sirius would never give it to him. Harry thought that maybe this was a good thing, given that Snape was able to brew that stuff and poison them all if he so wanted. Nor did he need that particular book but Harry felt a lot safer knowing that Snape didn't have it.

After half an hour he had enough and put the book away. It was about time the Weasleys got back and saved him from his boredom. He felt too magically exhausted to train for another hour but on the other hand he was too bouncy to sit down and read. It was maddening. Sirius and Remus were still down in the basement storingtheir stuff and doing other things Harry didn't really want to think about.

Sighing, he got up and left for the Living Room. Maybe he could amuse himself with the self-playing chess game. Or with a game of Solitaire. But he had barely sat down for his first game when the doorbell rang. Harry jumped up and raced to the front door.

He was, however, mindful to look into the spying glass first, in case it was some really stupid Death Eater that wanted to come through the front door.

But there was the whole Weasley family minus Fred and George but plus Hermione standing. Snape and the twins seemed to be still in Diagon Alley which was completely fine with Harry. He opened the door and admitted the stream of people in the entrance hall. Sirius and Remus came panting up the stairway that led in and out of the basement and greeted them breathlessly. Harry smirked at his godfathers and Sirius had the decency to flush a bright pink.

Mrs Weasley manhandled her children and husband out of their clothes and into the Living Room. Mr Weasley said sheepishly that he wouldn't say no to a stiff drink. Sirius laughed and led him over to the bar. Mrs Weasley glared at them both but for once he refused to be intimidated by his wife. Harry guessed that the shopping spree must have been really trying.

Hermione, Ginny and Ron bounded over to the couch and plopped down. Harry joined them and looked at them expectantly.

"Well?" he prompted. "How did your search for a new wand go?"

"Ollivander had one," said Hermione breathlessly, excited to spout the news to Harry. "But we had to go through the whole shop to find it. It was so annoying. And you know that Mr Ollivander tends to keep the difficult cases until there's no other way. At least he was taking the old wand back and returning a third of the money I paid for it." She pulled her new wand out of her sleeve and showed it to Harry. "Here it is. Looks a bit … strange, don't you think?"

Harry took it and stroked along its length. It had a bright brown colour, it gleamed almost golden in the dim lamplight. And it felt strange. Harry felt it with his magic, and then frowned.

"It feels a bit off," he told her. "Why's that?"

Hermione pouted. "Ollivander said it's a shared wand. I don't know exactly what it means, but I'll look it up. The old coot refused to tell me anything once he had his insight." She snorted. "Sometimes I have the feeling he's just as bad as Dumbledore in some ways."

"I don't know about you," said Ron smugly, "But I had no problems at all to find a wand. I waved a few and that was it."

"Lucky you," mumbled Hermione insincerely.

Harry suspected she was rather proud to have an oddity for a wand instead of something normal and uninteresting. Even if the wand's name implied that she somehow shared it with somebody else.

"What is it made of?" he asked interestedly.

"Well, Ollivander said–," she started, but then Remus interrupted her.

"What do you want to drink?" Remus asked kindly. "We want to have coffee, but I wasn't sure if it was okay with you."

"I'll take a coke," said Harry cheekily. "If Twinky has some, of course. If not I'll take juice."

"What's coke?" Ginny asked curiously.

"It's a soft drink," replied Hermione haughtily. "Bubbly and sweet and very bad for your teeth."

"Oh come on," admonished Harry lightly. "Why are we wizards? I have yet to see a modern witch or wizard who has bad teeth."

Hermione grumbled. "Modern is the word to go. The old hags in the Leaky Cauldron are really disgusting. I don't know how anyone can stand their teeth moulding in their mouth."

Ginny beamed. "I'd like to try it out! Can't you get some in Muggle London?"

Remus laughed. "We thought about it for you, don't worry. What do you want to drink, Ron?"

"'Mione and I are drinking hot chocolate," said Ron. "'Mione was really put out about the whole wand search and she could need do with the sugar."

"Sugar!" huffed Hermione angrily but didn't argue about Ron's choice.

Harry and Ron rolled their eyes and Remus snickered and left them alone to give Twinky their orders.

Harry was suddenly feeling very hungry. He had skipped lunch in favour of his training and felt his body demanding its food now. He wondered if he could sneak away to eat something substantial because cake or cookies were not the thing to make him happy right now.

Ron seemed to have equal thoughts because he nudged Harry and pointed in the direction of the kitchen. "Do you think they would let us eat something else?" he asked quietly. "Lunch is long over and I'm starving."

"Me too," replied Harry. "Come, let's ask Sirius."

He got up and strolled over to Sirius who was just instructing Twinky. Ron followed suit. Several eyes followed them, and especially Hermione looked positively disgruntled about their lax eating habits.

"Uhm, Siri?" Harry asked mock-timidly. "Ron and I, we are both hungry."

"Really? Molly just told me how you gobbled a whole menu down at the Leaky Cauldron," replied Sirius in amusement. "But I suspect you're still growing." He patted Ron on the back and then turned his attention back to Harry. "And what's your excuse, young man?"

Harry grinned cheekily. "Well, I lost track of time in your warded room, and then you came back and then the others arrived." He shrugged. "And now I'm hungry."

"Alright, I'll tell Twinky to bring you sandwiches. Or do you like chicken wings? We just found a delicious sort in a Muggle supermarket."

Remus stepped up to Sirius and slung his arms around his waist. "Growing boys," he said and smiled. "But I'm hungry myself, actually. You know we had no time to eat. Why don't we make it a mixed feast?"

Sirius grinned at Remus and purred contentedly. "Why not? I keep forgetting that I'm tiring you out sometimes."

Ron blushed furiously. "Now that I didn't need to hear!" he said.

Harry just rolled his eyes. "You don't know the whole story. They hid in the basement." He snickered while Ron looked thoroughly grossed out. "Can they get any more childish?"

"Watch your tongue, young man, or I'll ground you!" said Sirius, flustered. Remus chuckled into his hair and stroked his sides slowly. When Harry wanted to say something about that Sirius cut him off quickly. "Yes I will, although I know you won't be going out of this house, anyway."

"Twinky will get the food for Masters, then," said Twinky and popped away.

Nobody really noticed her leave, but when Mrs Weasley called them to the table they knew that at least the drinks had been served already. Ginny was diving for a glass with brown, bubbly liquid and Harry grabbed the other. It was really comfy to sit between his friends like that. Hermione complained that the hot chocolate was still too hot to drink but Ginny crooned about the coke and took slow sips to enjoy the strange but obviously pleasant taste.

A few minutes later Twinky reappeared and started to set the table. Harry and Ron immediately grabbed some piquant pastries and sandwiches and started to fill their hungry stomachs.

"You know," said Ginny to Ron, "I have yet to see somebody who can eat as much as you do."

Ron grunted between two bites but ignored her otherwise. Ginny and Hermione just nibbled on some cookies, and over all they were pointedly ignoring Sirius feeding Remus titbits of pastries and little meatloaves.

Hermione scooted closer to Harry and stole a sandwich from his plate. Harry chose to ignore the theft and didn't berate her about taking things from other people's plates; mainly because he had nicked food from her often enough.

"They are adorable together, aren't they?" she whispered and giggled. "Awww, I'm so happy for them."

"You like it that they're snogging each other all over the place?" Ron asked, disgruntled. "I mean, yeah, but it's just so gross to see your role models actinglike that."

"What about your parents?" Hermione asked. "Don't they have the famous displays of affection around you?"

"Hell, no," shrieked Ron and turned pink in the face. "Ugh, the thought alone!"

"Now we know where that comes from," said Hermione dryly.

Harry thought that Mr and Mrs Weasley had indeed a rather platonic relationship when around others. But it was also clear that they belonged to each other; and their seven children only confirmed that. He shuddered at the thought of those two in bed; it seemed so unlikely!

"Did you ever hear them do the deed?" Harry asked cheekily.

Ron turned beet red in less than two seconds which must have been a new record and Ginny sighed long-sufferingly.

"No, never. They either place a silencing charm around their room, or they're just not doing anything." She smirked. "Who knows, maybe we would get yet another sibling."

Ron shuddered. "They better not! The Weasley fertility is legendary and I really don't fancy sharing my room with a baby."

"I bet you wouldn't like that," replied Hermione and smirked. "Besides, your fears are justified. Wizards and witches can conceive for a much longer period than Muggles. In the wizarding world even two men can get children. They just need a little help."

Harry frowned. "Why the hell is the Ministry so adamant on men marrying women then? I mean, if the gay people are able to get children as well there shouldn't be that much of a problem, right?"

"The people at the Ministry, especially one, are morons," said Hermione disdainfully. "Just look at the many laws that permit forced or arranged marriages. One would think we're still living in the Middle Ages. And Fudge does nothing to get rid of these laws, the lazy sod."

"Some people say it's tradition," quipped Ginny, rolling her eyes. "But a Muggle-born witch just recently sued the approaching family and won her case because she was, well, Muggle-born. The judge saw fit to refuse forcing her into this because her family swore that they would take action if he did, and an oath is never to be taken lightly, you know."

Hermione nodded. "I'm glad she got out of it. The thought alone is preposterous. Sometimes the wizarding world is so far behind I wonder why they're living in modern houses and not in clay huts."

"Oi!" said Ron loudly. "Not every pureblood family is so far behind. Mom and dad always told us that they wouldn't force us to marry anyone, and they would fight if anybody were to try claiming us." He shrugged. "I don't see the point of it, really. I mean, you don't know the partner, you don't love them and you have to produce a child … gross."

"Yeah, but someone like Malfoy or Parkinson are easy prey. I bet only Malfoy's father is powerful enough to tell others to sod off or else." Hermione snorted. "And we all witnessed how much the scion means to his father. He wouldn't allow Parkinson to marry him if she was the last woman on earth."

"Thankfully," muttered Harry, together with Ginny.

Ron eyed them suspiciously. "What is it with you? You're jumping to the ferret's defence really quickly lately. Harry, please tell me that you don't have a crush on him!"

Harry was appalled. "Why would I have a crush on him?" he demanded. "Just because he happens to be one of the hottest blokes in school?"

Hermione snorted back a laugh at Ron's grimacing face. "Yeah, Harry is better than that," she said dryly. "He actually wants some brain, not just a hot body."

Ron scowled. "Ugh, you didn't just say he's hot, did you? I'm going to have nightmares for two weeks in a row, really! And then you, 'Mione! You're not only defending Malfoy but also Snape of all people! Are you sick or something?"

"Well, I definitely see what Harry means," said Ginny idly. "I mean, for one, Malfoy's a blonde. Everybody likes blondes. Then he's filthy rich. And he's clever. And not to forget his sexiness." She smirked at Ron who gasped for air, face purple and eyes bulging.

"Now you see what you get for stupid questions," chided Hermione smugly.

"Stupid questions?" shrieked Ron. "I believe you're under Imperious and ganging up against me to achieve some evil goal!"

"Imperious? On me?" Harry asked and quirked an eyebrow. "Everybody but Voldemort is bound to fail, and I like it that way."

"And Voldemort isn't near right now," added Hermione helpfully. Ginny giggled.

"That's definitely not normal!" sputtered Ron and gesticulated wildly. "Since when don't you hate ferret-boy and the greasy git! Harry, he spent most of his time at school to make our lives miserable, and now you're starting to defend him! And Hermione! Snape refused you proper treatment when that potion went haywire in fourth year!"

"That wasn't very nice," said Hermione in agreement, "But in the end I got something much better out of it." She waved her hand carelessly and indicated her face. "I got my teeth shrunken and went on a date with a champion and international Quidditch prodigy. If I had to say something to Snape about that I would first slap him and then send him a thank-you card."

Ron was starting to rant again, and this time the adults looked at them reproachfully. "That's preposterous!" he shrieked indignantly. "He shouldn't have insulted you like that in the first place!"

Hermione sighed. "Look Ron, it's like all the things adults do from time to time. They put you through something bad and you'll get something better out of it. It's like your mother is telling you to save money for later and one day you'll be able to buy a house and some luxury. You'll appreciate it later if you use the present circumstances and possibilities to the fullest, even if you didn't like it one bit whileyou wereyoung."

"That's an odd comparison," muttered Ron, somewhat deflated because of her reasonable arguments.

"But she's still right," said Ginny and popped a chocolate cookie into her mouth.

Harry thought that Ron was right; no teacher should be allowed to hurt a student like that. On the other hand he could see Hermione's point of view. She was happy to have her large teeth shrunken and thankful for all the positive changes that came with it. She had a lot more confidence and self-esteem and she carried herself quite differently. It seemed as if the incident had set her rebellious streak free. When she had slapped Malfoy in their third year it had been a moment of rage and hate but the argument with Snape just before the holidays was the outcome of her righteous anger and long-planned preparation. She hadn't gone into this argument unprepared; it was rather the opposite. Harry could only guess what torment Snape had been subjected to. Hermione was not only right, she was also really scary when arguing with all her reasoning and logic.

"If you are quite done now I would like to eat," said Harry into the following silence and determinedly took a few more sandwiches and happily started to devour them. Twinky had prepared some that had warm chicken on them, and they weredelicious.

Ron followed suit and piled his plate until nothing more would fit on it. Hermione just rolled her eyes and started to sip her now drinkable hot chocolate.

Snape and the twins didn't come back during the odd coffee feast. Harry decided to take Ron, Hermione and Ginny up to the special room; Hermione wanted to try out her new wand anyway, and Ron looked as if he could do with a bit oftraining. Just sitting around was not his idea of relaxation or fun.

"Tell me, 'Mione," said Harry while he closed the special room's door behind them securely, "Did Snape go with the twins for a drink today? They're late, and I thought they wanted to go for a drink tomorrow."

"Yeah, he disappeared with them at some point," replied Hermione, frowning slightly. "I really thought he wouldn't. But they were really pestering him, now that you mention it." She quirked a smile. "He'll be late in another hour. Maybe you can skip your Occlumency lesson today."

"That's what I thought about the whole day," muttered Harry and grimaced. Once more he wondered if he should tell Ron and Hermione about his fight with Snape and the following accident with the Pensieve. He was really getting better with Occlumency, he could tell but maybe Ron would be grossed out about the whole thing. And he didn't want that.

"Oh, don't worry," said Ron happily. "Even if he's stumping you today, some day you'll be able to pay him back." Ginny made an agreeing sound in the back of her throat.

"Thanks Ron," mumbled Harry unenthusiastically. "Well, do you want to start, 'Mione?"

"Of course," replied Hermione and pulled her new wand out of her sleeve. "I told you, it's another kind of wand, not quite the usual thing. I'm a bit worried whetherit will work as well as my old wand."

"Try some easy spells first," said Ginny. She sat on a dirty old table, letting her legs dangle.

Sighing, Hermione complied. She first let a broken clock hover, then she summoned a mouldy plank. After a few other spells they had done in their DA meetings she stopped and looked at her new wand thoughtfully.

"And? Does it meet your expectations?" Harry asked. "It looked all right to me."

"It is," she admitted. "But it really feels weird. Different from my old wand." She handed it over to Harry. "Here, feel it yourself. Try it."

Harry took the wand and let his magic flow through it again, this time more intensively. Hermione had a point, it felt thoroughly different from her old wand. But also from his own. He frowned and turned it around a few times.

"I doubt I could use it," he said. "It's blocked somehow." He waved it experimentally and tried to summon a ripped stuffed animal. It trembled and hobbled a few feet in his direction, but that was all. Harry frowned even more and gave the wand back to Hermione.

Ron and Ginny looked more thoughtful than bored, although they apparently had this talk before in Diagon Alley.

"At least no Death Eater is able to use your own wand against you," said Ginny and grinned.

"And Harry's wand is too wide for most to use it, too," added Ron. "That's good!"

Harry started to pace. "You brought an important point up, Ron. We need to learn a bit wandless magic to get our wands back in case they can disarm us. 'Mione, is it possible to learn that? Or is it like a special ability?"

Hermione gnawed on her lower lip before she spoke. "As far as I know every witch or wizard of average strength should be able to do weak wandless magic. Let's hope that it works for summoning."

"Okay. I know it works for me. In the night when I met Voldemort and he punished Malfoy," Ron and Hermione gulped audibly, "I had to heal the bleeding of my scar with my finger because my wand was still lying on the bedside table. I hope it can be learned in the short time."

"Don't worry, Harry. We'll manage," said Hermione determinedly. "The DA is well on their way to practice magic without words. They actually do something for your lessons." She glanced at him and smirked. "I bet you'd be a great teacher."

Harry groaned. "Spare me, please. I don't even want to think about that. Not in this lifetime."

Hermione's infuriating smirk became only wider, but Ron looked very much relieved. Ginny giggled at Harry's mortified expression.

"Honestly," muttered Harry, "Do you ever think about other things than school and studying?"

"Actually, I do," replied Hermione smugly. "Not that I would tell you about it." She glanced at Ginny and smiled smugly.

Ron and Harry glared weakly at her. Harry and Ron were too tired to argue with her about that now, and Ginny didn't look as if she would enjoy serious bantering about Hermione's secrets right now.

Instead Ron and Ginny both took a turn at using Hermione's wand. They were even more unsuccessful than Harry had been. When they were done with their friend's new wand they tried out a few of the new spells. Harry guided them as well as he could. He was satisfied that his earlier training helped him now to help his friends.

But the time passed by far too quickly. After a quick glance at his Muggle watch Harry noticed that it was already quarter to eight. In silent agreement they left the room for the day and descended the staircases. Delicious smells reached their noses once their were on the second floor. Ron's stomach grumbled, although he had eaten just two hours ago.

"Really Ron, where are you putting all that food?" Hermione asked incredulously. "I saw you inhaling food, not even two hours ago, that would have been enough to last a group of four Aurors for a week!"

"I'm still growing," said Ron and shrugged.

"But you didn't do anything!" Hermione insisted. "You scare me sometimes. I think your mother gave birth to a bottomless pit, not to a healthy boy."

Harry silently agreed with her; on the other hand Ron was shooting up like a gangly plant, standing at a good six feet two right now. And he had a feeling that Ron wasn't done growing just yet.

"Why don't we just go into the Living Room and see what they'll have for dinner?" Ginny asked diplomatically. "I'm rather thirsty."

The others agreed and so they trooped down until they reached the Living Room and claimed seats around the large table. Molly was bustling around in the kitchen, apparently having an argument with Remus of all people.

"I wonder what Remus wants. Mom is really put out," said Ron and frowned. From behind the door they could hear Mrs Weasley screech something unintelligible and apparently rather rude, because Remus' voice answered hers rather heatedly.

"Yeah. Remus usually is content with whatever she's doing in the kitchen," said Hermione in agreement. Something in the kitchen crashed on the tiles of the floor and they winced in unison.

Harry pursed his lips. "I wonder why he even argues. He can do in here whatever he wants, being Sirius' mate and all." More sounds of the argument – it obviously was about baking some cake – were heard, and Mrs Weasley yelled loudly at Remus not to dare bring any of the ingredients into the house. Harry figured that she really had to be screaming to reach the others in the Living Room like that. "And if he wants to bake something he can do it if he wants to."

Ginny looked excited. "He can bake? Why did he never bake for us before?"

"Trust me, Miss Weasley, you don't want to know," said a silky voice from the doorway.

Already knowing who it was, Harry turned around slowly. And sure enough there stood Snape in all of his dark and menacing glory and sneered at them. Fred and George stood behind him like weird bodyguards. Seeing that they were a few inches smaller than Snape the effect was somewhat lost; however, seeing them so close in Snape's vicinity made Harry's stomach clench uncomfortably.

Snape took out an old-fashioned watch from a pocket of his vest and looked at it. His lips curled into a mean little smile. "I hope you haven't forgotten about today's lesson, Potter? It's, after all, in ten minutes."

"How could I?" said Harry sarcastically. "It's so much fun to have you poking around in my head."

Snape's mouth twitched as if he wanted to laugh evilly about Harry's response. He collected himself, and Harry realised with a start that Snape looked quite inebriated. His normally impeccable robes sat a bit askew on his tall frame, and the dark eyes glittered in obvious amusement.

"Don't go away, Potter. I'll be back in a minute," Snape sneered and turned around. Fred and George winked at Harry before they too turned and followed Snape, swaying and steadying themselves on each other while doing so.

"I think I just had the scariest experience of my life," said Ron, shuddering.

"He was drunk," said Hermione reproachfully. She pursed her lips. "Now that was something I never wanted to see."

Harry sighed. He betted his whole possession that Snape was drinking a Sobrietus Potion right now to get rid of the alcohol in his blood. He needed a clear head to torment Harry, after all.

Harry snorted disdainfully and shoved the sarcastic thoughts away. Maybe he could get Remus and Sirius to watch over their lesson again. He certainly didn't feel comfortable alone in a room with Snape.

Snape returned ten minutes later, a cheerful Fred and George trailing behind him. The twins immediately claimed the two seats next to Harry. Snape himself swooped down into an armchair and asked Twinky to get him a glass of water.

Just mere seconds later Mrs Weasley was bustling in, carrying a huge, steaming pot. Knifes and forks came sailing in after her and started to arrange themselves briskly on the table. She banged the pot down and went back into the kitchen to get the other things.

"Mmh, stew," said Ron happily.

Hermione groaned quietly and held her stomach. "Ugh, just thinking about eating right now makes me nauseous," she muttered.

Harry laughed. "You sound almost as if you were pregnant, 'Mione."

"Thank god there's no way," she replied and rolled her eyes. "As it happens, I know that we get anti-pregnancy potions at Hogwarts, in the pumpkin juice and even in our tea or coffee. Not that I mind, I really don't plan to have a child for the next ten years." She looked reassuringly at Harry. "I feel just a bit overwhelmed. We ate for twenty in the Leaky Cauldron, at least Ron did, and then there was the food a little bit ago …"

Twinky appeared and set the rest of the table straight. Mrs Weasley put a bread basked next to the stew while Twinky put a plate full with sliced vegetables on the table. After that everything was ready and Mrs Weasley sent Twinky to get Sirius and Remus. She disappeared quickly and soon the sound of approaching footsteps were heard.

"I'm telling you, she wouldn't let me do it," said Remus, the unusual sounds of consternation and irritation lacing his voice.

Sirius and Remus appeared in the doorway, quietly talking to themselves. Sirius grabbed Remus' hand and smiled grimly. "Well, do it anyway," he said grimly. "It's my house, and if Dung can store his things in here you'll surely be allowed to–" He cut himself off when he saw the group sitting there, looking at him and Remus expectantly and obviously dying to know what the whole ruckus was about.

Only Snape didn't seem to be interested at all. Harry caught him smirking and wondered if he knew what that all was about. Which maybe he did, Harry thought sourly.

Then Mrs Weasley disrupted their inquiring stares and questioning and ordered them to take as much food as would fit on their plates.

Harry briefly wondered where Mr Weasley was since he was not sitting here anymore. He must have left while Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had gone up to the warded room. He, however, refrained from asking, in case there was a reason for his departure that would upset Mrs Weasley. Tonks and Moody weren't back yet, either. Harry wondered if they stayed somewhere else for the night or even for the rest of their holidays or if they would arrive sometime later.

Ron, who sat next to George, happily shovelled food into his mouth and gulped it down, barely chewing it. Harry felt secure between him and Fred and George. He was feeling determined tonight. And with every second he stared longer at Snape's sallow face his determination to squash his smugness grew.

Snape somehow managed to sneer at him while he ate his stew with perfect manners. Harry opposed him defiantly with eating like the teenager he was. If Snape managed to make him sick tonight he would make sure to do it on his shiny leather shoes.

Morbidly amused about his thoughts, Harry didn't notice the sceptical looks Hermione and Remus were giving him. Sirius seemed cheerful at the sight of Harry eating like there was no tomorrow. George elbowed Harry and gave him not-so-discreetly the thumbs-up. Smirking, Harry helped himself to some tea and pudding. He knew Snape wouldn't dare to drag him up as long as he was eating. Mrs Weasley and Sirius saw to that.

Harry made sure to nibble on his food until quarter to nine. Snape seemed to be calm outwardly but Harry knew better. The calculating gleam in Snape's eyes was telling him as much. Harry also felt Snape's unfocused Legilimency bounce off his wards.

Snape scowled darkly.

Harry quickly excused himself with the explanation he had to use the loo and bolted from the room, back into his own room. He extracted every important memory from his head and placed it into the Pensieve. Gone were the memories of the Malfoy Kisses, of their DA meetings and his discussions with Ron and Hermione. Then he locked his most precious possession in his wardrobe and left his room quickly.

Harry trudged up the stairs and went into the warded room, twirling his wand idly in his fingers. Now that he knew that he could defend himself with magic he would use his wand to its fullest. He waited for a few minutes, playing around with his wand and trying out to summon his wand from the other side of the room with wandless magic.

His wand just smacked back into his outstretched hand when the door opened and admitted a very displeased Snape, a smug Sirius and an anxious Remus.

"Potter," said Snape with apparently as much coldness as he could muster, "Your mangy dogfather wants to keep an eye on you at all costs. I do hope that you won't let him distract you." He eyed Harry's hand which held the wand suspiciously.

"Yes, Sir," sneered Harry.

Snape seemed to have prepared himself, too. It explained his unusual tardiness anyway. Harry had always wondered why Snape hadn't put his memories in his Pensieve before he had come into Snape's office for their Occlumency lesson when he had started them in fifth year.

Only now it occurred to him that maybe, just maybe, Snape had wanted for Harry to become curious and stick his nose where it didn't belong. He would have had two motives, too. For one Harry had found out about his father being a stupid bully in school, and then he would have a perfect excuse to vent his frustration physically on Harry for being nosy.

Remus and Sirius moved to a wall and leaned against it. Harry felt grateful for their support. And it might be necessary that they were present, in case something happened again. He did not wish for it but he also refused to hold back tonight.

"Let's start, Potter," said Snape smoothly. "Legilimens!"

Harry gasped when the spell hit him. He held his wand out like a sword in defence and tried to work with his mind rather than his magic. The power Snape used to attack him was much higher than in the last lesson, at least for the beginning. Harry gritted his teeth and raised his defences. He wouldn't give up just now; he refused having learned so much about Occlumency in the last few weeks to admit Snape so easily into his mind.

With grim satisfaction he noticed Snape's irritation. Snape was plodding through his labyrinth, snarling and growling. Harry wished for him to stumble over one of his traps so he could throw him out. The trap mechanisms were by no means perfect, but for now they would do.

Harry's mind wandered to new ideas for his labyrinth. He thought of a few Dementors to scare lesser skilled intruders simply away, or raving Hippogriffs, or Manticores …

A sudden tingle alerted him to Snape's presence in his head. He had stepped into a trap. Harry knew he had done so purposefully, but he would throw him out nonetheless. The book about defence techniques had some very funny ideas for that. Right now Harry used the ejector seat principle. As soon as somebody would activate a trap, they would be barrelled out through such a seat. There was time for refining it later, right now it was just funny to see Snape stumbling back and panting slightly.

"I never thought your uncle was such a fat, ugly Muggle," said Snape and bared his teeth in a haughty smirk.

"Well, then you obviously haven't seen my cousin yet, Snape," replied Harry coldly.

"I told you to call me Sir," said Snape angrily.

"And I told you that you have to earn that," said Harry poisonously. "As long as you prefer to play instead of teach I'll not pay you any respect." He noticed how Sirius and Remus tensed but he ignored them.

"Foolish boy," snarled Snape. "Fine, be that way. By all means, use your wand Potter. You'll need it."

Harry gripped his wand tighter and braced himself. When Snape said things like that there was no questioning his sincerity. Snape's black eyes bore into him and the sneer was gone. Remus and Sirius watched with apprehension but Harry didn't even see them anymore. It was as if he and Snape were alone in a bubble. Just he and the greasy, mean Potions Master.

They stared each other hatefully in the eyes, waiting for the first, tiny move to start an attack. Finally Snape shouted "Legilimens!" and Harry immediately sprang to action. Instead of blocking the spell he performed a wordless disarming spell, catching Snape's wand while leaving Snape's incredulous stare with a quick sidestep. How good that Legilimency didn't work very well without the eye contact. It hadn't even taken two seconds to end the attack.

"How – what – that's not–," sputtered Snape, turning pale in a matter of seconds. When he finally gathered his wits he said: "You're not supposed to disarm your opponent, stupid boy! Your real opponent won't even be in the same country as you!" A faint flush marred his cheeks and Harry felt very gleeful about Snape's obvious embarrassment.

"Yeah! Well done, Harry!" crowed Sirius excitedly. "Show the old snake what you're able to do!"

"We're not here for duelling Black. You're such an obnoxious brute," snapped Snape impatiently. "I just wish Potter would use his head once in a while. But as I see it that's not likely to happen anytime soon."

"He did manage to kick you out before," Remus pointed out carefully. Snape ignored him pointedly.

"I am a brute, Snivellus?" said Sirius acidly and stood up straight. He was a few inches taller than Snape, standing at impressive six feet and four inches. "I'll show you just how brutish I can be!" He balled his hands to fists, and Harry had no doubts about who would come out of this as victor. "You and your stupid little mind games are a waste of time, anyway."

"Accio wand!" said Snape coldly. Snape's wand flew out of Harry's hand and straight back to Snape.

"Cool, Sir," said Harry in true admiration. Wandless magic was not very common, after all.

"Now you resort to showing off, Snivellus?" Sirius asked condescendingly. "I didn't know that Harry's respect was so important to you."

Snape's mouth set in a very thin line and he looked ready to hex Sirius into next month, totally ignoring Harry.

Harry wondered if he should interfere. But seeing that he didn't have Snape's sympathies and never would gain them with such a stupid action he quickly decided against it. He would just end up in the middle. His own quarrel with Snape had been somewhat refreshing, though; maybe it would work wonders for Snape and Sirius, too.

"Shut your trap, Black or I'll hex you so bad that your stupid bint of a mother won't even be able to curse you anymore because all her wishes are already fulfilled!" hissed Snape venomously.

Harry rolled his eyes and then glanced at Remus. He seemed to be mildly concerned, but not overly so. A brawl like that obviously had happened before. Harry just wondered when exactly he was supposed to actually learn something. Sighing in exasperation, he watched Sirius and Snape going at each others' throats.

Sirius and Snape prowled around each other, growling and snarling insults. Both held their wands at their sides, ready to strike in a fraction of a second.

Harry inched towards Remus who leaned against the wall and had his arms crossed. Without looking at Harry he said: "Don't bother trying to get them apart. As much as they hate to admit it, they need their fights. Otherwise they would go crazy."

"It's the pressure," agreed Harry quietly, "but don't you worry that Snape will harm Siri badly?"

Remus actually smiled brightly. "Oh, don't worry about them Harry. Sirius gives as good as he gets and Severus is a more than adequate opponent for Sirius. Do you want to watch?"

Harry gaped at him for a second. Then he shut his mouth and stared at Remus incredulously. "You're not serious, are you?"

"Of course I am," replied Remus, completely unfazed at Harry's obvious disbelief. "You can learn a lot while watching them. They will, of course, not follow the common duel rules, but the curses and hexes they use will be more than interesting."

Harry chose to believe Remus and stowed his wand in his right back pocket. "I'm just wondering when Snape will actually teach me something," he muttered. "The last time I had my head full with Snape and now my teacher is going to fight with my godfather."

"Did you get rid of these memories?" Remus asked quietly. In front of them Sirius and Snape positioned themselves in fighting stance and snarled some more insults. Some of them Harry had never heard, even though he was living in a school full of innovative students.

"Not all," replied Harry distractedly. "I had no time with Ron and Hermione being around. Besides, Snape's memories concerning Occlumency are actually teaching me quite well. I thought about keeping them a bit longer so I'll be more secure when school starts again."

Remus thoughtfully looked at him. "I guess it's alright, Harry. But do try to get the ones about Snape's private life out of your head, alright?"

"Of course," said Harry reassuringly. He lowered his voice slightly. "After what I've seen I know his childhood couldn't have been better than mine. If I think about it now it was rather worse." He looked Remus in his bright, unusual eyes. "I feel sorry for him. Nobody should grow up in such a home as his."

Smiling sadly, Remus patted Harry's shoulder softly. "At the time Sirius and James were real prats. They had everything they could wish for, even Siri who was not on good terms with his family. The Snapes are an old family, as old as the Malfoys actually, I think, but Severus' father was not good at keeping the money together. He and his wife were always fighting, mainly because he was a Muggle and she was not." He turned his eyes back to Sirius and Snape who were hurling the first hexes at each other. "Lily was a good friend of Severus. There was a day when James overdid it to impress your mother. She hated it, of course. Ravenclaws were never ones for great shows."

Except Cho, thought Harry bitterly.

"After that Lily took her time to befriend Severus," Remus continued, "and she never regretted it." He leaned closer to Harry. "He may not be a nice man, Harry, but he is a wonderful friend once you have gained his trust. Do try to understand him, his life is not easy."

Harry felt guiltier than ever in his life. Of course Remus was right. Snape hated him because he looked so much like his father, maybe even because he had his mother's eyes and they reminded him of the lost friendship. Snape also hated him because he always jumped head-on into danger without looking out and considering his allies first. Since his first year Snape had looked out for him, life debt to his father or no, and he had never done anything else than elude his watchful eyes and cause trouble. And then there was the issue of serving a deranged monster. The constant threat of pain or even death must grate on his nerves.

Remus' face showed sympathy, as if he could read Harry's mind. But maybe it just wasn't too hard to guess what he was thinking about.

A loud shout redirected Harry's and Remus' attention back to the duel. Snape had just performed a spell that let four or five dark dogs emerge from the tip of his wand. The beasts growled and crouched to Sirius, baring their fangs. But Sirius just laughed haughtily.

"Do you think you can scare me with that, Snape? I don't think so!" In a flash of a second Sirius transformed himself into his Alter Ego Snuffles and attacked the boldest Grim, grabbing him around the neck with his sharp teeth. The beast yowled and surrendered after a few seconds.

Snape tried to hex Snuffles but he was too quick for him. Like a small army Snape's summoned Grims suddenly formed a circle around Snape and started to approach him. Sirius transformed back, standing behind Snape and ready to hex him into oblivion. But Snape was quick. He spun around, just in time blocking the Full Body-bind Spell. But now the Grims were attacking him, burying their teeth in his black robes. Cursing, Snape got rid of them with a casual flick of his wand.

"What was that dog-calling spell?" Harry asked with interest. "It's cool."

"Grimantula," said Remus and smirked. "An efficient spell if someone is very superstitious. Although I would have expected more from Severus. He of all people should have known that Sirius is not afraid of a Grim."

Harry laughed. "Yeah, Siri is the Grim. It's no wonder he could defeat them so easily."

"You'd be amazed at how often he had brawls with stray dogs. That trains you very well." He snickered. "And then there's Moony. He likes to play with Snuffles."

"He's still in control during the full moon, isn't he?" said Harry thoughtfully.

Remus sighed, watching as Sirius punched Snape square in the face, just to get a good kick at his shin in return. "Not really. The Wolfsbane Potion keeps the urge to kill and harm at bay. And it's true that I keep my human mind. But some instincts can't be extinguished, for example the desire to run around and play. Sometimes I wonder if it's just me wishing to do that." Remus smiled wryly.

"Can you even be outside without the Ministry being alarmed?" Harry asked concernedly.

"During the full moons Siri and I are mostly here, spending the time in the backyard." Remus crossed his arms and looked at the duel in front of him. "Sirius doesn't mind. He played with me twenty years ago and I'm very glad that we're finally together again. The time where he was in Azkaban was just terrible." He glanced at Harry. "I thought he was a traitor but I could never really believe it. Nonetheless, times were hard."

Harry wished he could say something clever now, something comforting. But he didn't know what and hated himself for his lack of words.

Snape managed to hex Sirius with the Jelly Legs Curse. Unfortunately for him Sirius countered with a nasty hair growth spell which had Snape's eyebrows grow at a rapid speed and cover his eyes. His hair grew, too and soon reached past his waist and still grew further to his knees, past them and fell on the floor. If Snape moved too much his legs would tangle in his hair. It would not just be embarrassing if he stumbled but also rather painful.

"Tarantellegra!" roared Snape and hit Sirius with the dancing spell. It had a remarkable effect combined with the Jelly Legs Curse. Sirius danced around on wobbly legs like a weird crab, causing Harry and Remus to laugh mercilessly.

"Vanitas!" bellowed Sirius, gasping with the effort to keep his hand still enough to aim at Snape.

The spell hit Snape directly in the chest, however. Snape was engulfed in a bright yellow hue, and then a huge mirror appeared in front of him. Harry almost lost it completely when he saw Snape suddenly preening in front of the mirror, combing his fingers through his long hair and eyebrows. Remus giggled behind his right hand. Sirius managed to end the spells Snape had put upon him and panted for air.

"That greasy bastard," he said with some difficulties, "using both spells on me!"

"Black," said Snape in his usual cold voice, "every exercise you can get is a good thing."

"Why, you-," growled Sirius and pointed his wand at Snape.

Harry realised that Snape's hair was back to its usual length, as had his eyebrows. Both men stared at each other in contempt. Snape was visibly flustered that he had been subjected to a vanity curse of all things.

Remus' hearty chuckles reassured Harry, however, that there really was nothing to fear. The ease with which both Snape and Sirius fought spoke clearly about their long history of fights.

"We played enough, Snivellus," said Sirius haughtily. "Let's get down to business!"

"That's the first intelligent sentence I've heard from you today, Black," replied Snape, smirking unpleasantly. "I really shouldn't wonder why Potter is so daft …"

That was obviously the wrong thing to say. Sirius let loose a string of curses and hexes that impressed all three men in the room. Snape had a hard time to dodge and reflect the hexes. Sirius was clearly the aggressor and there was nothing Snape could do against it right now.

Harry had an impression of the fight against Bellatrix Lestrange, Sirius' hated cousin, the woman he hated almost more than Voldemort. Only that Snape didn't sneer and laugh right now. Instead there was a tread of sweat trickling down his temple and he was slowly backing away.

"What's up, Snivellus?" shouted Sirius angrily. "Am I too fast for you? Come on you slimy bastard, do something!"

Snape bared his teeth in a furious snarl. "Feeling good right now, Black?" he hissed.

"Severitas!" yelled Sirius. All traces of humour were gone, leaving his face as an angry, deadly mask.

Horrified, Snape countered with "Caleidio!" and reflected the curse back in every direction.

Cursing, Sirius protected himself with the Protego Spell, Remus pulled out his wand, along with Harry. They both shouted different curses to stop the attack. After that was taken care of, the four stared at each other with wide eyes, breathing quickly.

Finally Snape pulled himself together. "Black," he said contemptuously, "you stupid, overgrown, harebrained, mangy mutt! I knew you were mentally incapacitated, but not that much! How dare you use that spell in the company of Potter! I might have killed him if it wasn't for Lupin." He was shaking with fury.

"Remus took care of that, didn't he?" replied Sirius casually. "And I saw Harry doing a good job of protecting himself quite well, too."

"You're such a dunderhead," snarled Snape. "I don't know why I'm even putting up with you."

"Harry is not a baby, Snape. I thought you preached that to him every opportunity you get?" Sirius smirked at Snape and fiddled with his wand idly. "Such things can happen, Snape. Every time. And you won't be there all the time to prevent it."

Snape turned white and pressed his lips together. "Potter is too stupid to watch out for himself," he said quietly. "And it won't get better if you're defending him all the time, Black."

"If you say so, Snape," replied Sirius and put his wand away. "Well then, I think the lesson is over. Come Harry, I think it's better if you're reading today."

Seeing that Snape wasn't about to protest, Harry shrugged and left the room. Once standing in the dark corridor, he felt somewhat relieved but at the same time strangely lonely. He closed the door behind himself and trudged down the staircase. He would do as Sirius had told him. He had the impression that he learned better from books than from teachers, anyway. At least for the time being. He just hoped that he was able to avoid Ron and Hermione for tonight or he wouldn't get anything done.

Feeling oddly contemplative, Harry made it to his room unnoticed and locked the door. Hermione would probably spend the night in the library - if Mrs Weasley let her, that is. Ginny was probably sitting together with Ron and the twins right now, plotting something against their mother or Snape, or both.

Harry sat down at his desk and opened his Legilimency book. He wondered why Snape was so shaken about the last spell Sirius had used. Severitas. He turned the word a bit around in his head, connecting it with words he knew. A lot of spells had connections to Latin or English words that he knew of. The most obvious similarity he came up with was the word severe.

He gasped in horror. Was that a curse to … severe … certain things? Maybe body parts?

Harry felt goose bumps creep over his whole body and hurriedly opened his book. Maybe it was a good thing that Snape got angry on his behalf every now and then.

While it was true that Harry could block most of the common duel spells, curses and jinxes he still was lacking in the Dark Arts area which was really no big surprise. If Sirius knew a disembowelling spell (because that was what Harry associated with the Severitas hex) he and Remus surely knew other, good spells as well. Maybe they would teach him a bit until school started again.

He happily found the page where he had left off and started reading. Tonight's chapter was all about subtle invasion and mood decipherment. How convenient, Harry thought, and a small, crooked smile curved his lips.

At night Harry built his labyrinth further, adding more memories and traps, bringing several dark creatures in and placing them strategically. If Voldemort should try to come and visit him tonight he sure was in for a surprise.

Harry smirked and finished his mind work. Now he actually felt some desire to pry into Voldemort's mood, although that could turn out very ugly if he wasn't careful. He snuggled comfortably under his covers, took his wand and held it lightly in his hand. Taking the most compromising memories out of his head, he thought about today's achievements. He then switched the lights off and evened out his breathing.

During the night Harry had caught some glimpses of Voldemort's doings. It appeared he had been alone, with only Wormtail for company. Harry didn't feel sorry for his loneliness. If even an utter bastard like Malfoy had a life over Christmas then maybe Voldemort should reconsider his aims in life.

----------

Whistling cheerfully, Harry climbed out of bed at nine o'clock and went to take a shower. Today was the day of his and his godfathers' outing. He had waited so long for the day to come; but now that it was actually The Day he felt awfully calm though very happy, and it felt just strange to him. Such serenity was rare on his part and he made sure to savour the feeling.

Harry thought that this must be one of the best days of his life so far. The water in the shower was pleasantly warm and his clothing felt soft on his skin and smelled of peaches and a faint hint of vanilla. He usually didn't like such smells on him but today it only heightened his already good mood even further. Ginny, Hermione and Ron poked their heads in half an hour later; just in time to see Harry slip a black, tight-fitting shirt over his head. Ginny whistled appreciatively while Ron smirked at her attitude.

"Don't think I won't continue to intercept your owls," he said smugly to Ginny. "Pretending that you like Harry all of a sudden won't help you."

"Ron!" said Hermione sharply. "You didn't intercept her letters, did you?"

With some worry Harry noticed Ginny getting rather red in the face, shaking with fury. "Uhm, Ron?" he tried to interrupt Ron's speech, but he was ignored.

"Not the first ones," said Ron, "But I can't have that git drawing all of Ginny's attention to himself when her family wants to spend time with her."

"Oh no," moaned Hermione in horror, "you did intercept her letters!"

"But I didn't read them, of course," said Ron generously. "What a brother would I be if I snooped in my baby sister's things?"

"You are so dead, Ron," said Ginny in an eerily calm voice. "Just wait until I get you and put my hands around your neck!" With a cry of war she lunged at him and punched him squarely in the face.

"Ow!" said Ron, more in surprise than out of pain. "What is it with you women? First 'Mione is accosting me and now you!"

"Come here, Ron, I'm not done with you yet," hissed Ginny, pulling out her wand.

"Oh no, Ginny, you mustn't," whispered Hermione in fright. "Just think about Umbridge and what she will do if she catches us red-handed …"

Harry approached Ginny and gently pried the wand out of her hand. "If you want a good whack at his head you should do it now," he advised lightly. "Your mom is just starting to make breakfast. Be quick."

"Harry?!" Ron asked incredulously. "Why are you helping her?" He stepped back until he reached the door, not taking his eyes off of Ginny's fuming form.

"Sorry mate, but I'm definitely not getting involved in this one," replied Harry and smirked at Ron.

"Ron, oh Ron," snarled Ginny, "I'll so flail you alive when I get you in my hands!"

Ron yelped and bolted – for the second time in a couple of days. Ginny stampeded after him.

Harry and Hermione heard Fred and George bang the door of their room open and curse at them for being so ungodly noisy. Harry snickered while Hermione fidgeted nervously with the hem of her tight, creamy white wool pullover.

After a minute or so, Fred and George had gone back to bed immediately after Ron had been chased off by Ginny, another door banged open, this time one floor above them. Still the faint thuds of something bashing against a wall could be heard.

"Oh my god, they must have woken Snape," said Harry unconcernedly. He watched in amusement as Hermione went rosy pink in the face.

"Weasley! Move your sorry ass away from my door!" cursed Snape. Even this loud his voice sounded still silky. "And Miss Weasley, if you want to strangle your dearest brother, press your thumbs harder into his windpipe. It would save us all some trouble." His door banged again, and a fluttery ripple of magic indicated he had used a silencing charm to get rid of the offending noise.

"Now that was some advice," snickered Harry. He turned to leave for the kitchen, craving some coffee.

"You are in a suspiciously good mood, Harry," said Hermione warily. "How come?"

"Oh, I don't know," replied Harry and smiled brightly. "It's just one of those days, I guess. Come, Mrs Weasley promised us croissants."

Hermione sighed and followed him. Breakfast wouldn't be for at least another half an hour, but seeing that they planned to do something useful with their time they made a trek to Hermione's and Ginny's room first to retrieve Hermione's latest notes. They wanted to use them later when they had some time. Harry shoved them into his waistband, knowing that they could straighten the paper out with a quick spell later.

"How was your lesson last night?" Hermione asked when they were descending the stairs. "Did Snape hurt you?"

"No," replied Harry and smirked. "In fact, I just disarmed him once and then he and Sirius had a nice, little fight."

Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I knew that would happen!" she exclaimed. "Why can't Mr Weasley or Mrs Weasley chaperone the lessons?"

Now it was Harry's turn to roll his eyes. "Honestly, 'Mione. If Mrs Weasley was in the same room and Snape were to maul me, what do you think would happen?"

"Oh, right," she grumbled. "But still. How are you supposed to learn something if they're always going at each others' throats?"

Harry grunted in agreement. Hermione huffed at Snape's and Sirius' behaviour and quietly muttered to herself about neglecting a student's welfare.

When they reached the kitchen Mrs Weasley was already bustling around, just as Harry had said. Twinky helped her eagerly while Mr Weasley sat at the table and slurped rather noisily his coffee from a large mug.

"Good morning," greeted Harry, together with Hermione.

Mr Weasley looked up from his newspaper. He had dark rings under his eyes and his sparse, red hair looked ruffled.

"Oh, morning Harry, Hermione," he said. Mrs Weasley put a plate filled with buttered toast in front of him. "Oh, thank you, darling."

Hermione slid into a chair and eyed the Daily Prophet distrustfully. "Did they write something new about the Ministry, Mr Weasley?" she asked.

"Yes, yes, they did," replied Mr Weasley, momentarily distracted because of a stubborn piece of toast that refused to fit into his mouth. "Here, have a look."

Harry and Hermione leaned over the Daily Prophet and started to peruse the headlines over the columns and articles. It took them only a minute, however, to find an article on page two that had them both sputtering in rage and shock.

"How dare they close the Department of Muggle Rescue?" shrieked Hermione. "And here, look Harry! They remade the Department of Muggle Artefacts, it's now the Department for Actions against Muggle Intrusions. I can't believe it! And guess who's the head of the department."

Harry, who had read the article too, sat back in defeat. "Malfoy," he muttered. He felt a lump in his stomach and it only seemed to grow. But this time it wasn't Lucius Malfoy. It was his wife, Narcissa.

"She never took part in any political activities before!" ranted Hermione furiously. "Oh, how I hate that bitch!"

"Hermione!" scolded Mrs Weasley sternly.

Mr Weasley sighed wearily. "Lucius Malfoy is currently working in the Department for Education and Society. I really don't want to know what he had to do to get back there." He looked at Mrs Weasley who looked rather disapprovingly back, then ran a hand through his hair. "Oh well. I had to meet the woman yesterday night; she demanded the desk and I had to clear it."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Now we have two Malfoys in the Ministry. Aren't we lucky?"

"We can only hope that Narcissa will mess up royally, otherwise our chances to get the lost positions back are slim," sighed Mr Weasley. "Moreover, Narcissa plays good friends with Umbridge."

"Oh my god," choked Hermione out. "I'm going to be sick." She slumped back in her chair and held her stomach.

"Now, dear," said Mrs Weasley, "We'll find a way to get Umbridge out of the Ministry. Dumbledore is doing his best." She placed two mugs of tea in front of her and Harry.

"What can he do if he's banned from the Ministry, too?" Hermione asked weakly.

"Let's just hope that he can hold Hogwarts this time," said Harry darkly. He turned to Hermione. "Do you remember our promise? We said we would make Umbridge regret her birth if she ever sets food into Hogwarts again. And I plan to keep that promise."

Hermione pulled herself together. "Of course I do." She scrunched up her nose. "And I would bet she'd try again, that stupid, puffed up, power-crazy, old–"

"Do you really want to finish that sentence?" a silky voice drawled behind them.

Hermione and Harry jumped, hearts beating rapidly. Oh how it remembered them of the day where Malfoy had said exactly the same words. They turned around and stared incredulously at Snape. Then Hermione's face set into a determined scowl.

"Of course I want to," she said tightly.

"Then don't let me hinder you," said Snape mildly and swept past her to get a cup of coffee.

Hermione fumed at Snape for a second before her gaze fell on the Daily Prophet again. Instantly her rage was redirected at Umbridge and her blatant leadership over the Ministry. "That bloody bitch!" she hissed. "I wish someone would just snuff her!"

"Unholy thoughts at this hour, Miss Granger?" asked Snape when he joined them at the table. His smirk was infuriating. "I never thought you had it in you."

"I have a lot in me which you don't know about, Professor," said Hermione coolly. "Besides, we just thought you might find it interesting what Umbridge is up to." She shoved the newspaper over the table with a bit more force than necessary.

Mrs Weasley sat finally down too and took a croissant and a boiled egg. "She's right, Severus. Rumour is that Dolores Umbridge tries to tamper with Hogwarts again. Kingsley told us just yesterday night."

Snape grabbed the paper and read the article. He frowned. "Narcissa Malfoy in the Ministry?" He snorted. "The Ice Queen is actually working, I can't believe it." He let his black eyes sweep over the words again. "I wonder what Lucius thinks about it."

Silence reigned the kitchen for long seconds. Then Harry recovered his wits. "You're – you're still talking with Mr Malfoy?" he asked.

"Potter," said Snape exasperatedly. "Lucius Malfoy and I unfortunately serve the same old madman. Of course we are in touch." He shook his head and folded the paper together. "Narcissa. I can't believe it." He took his mug and rose gracefully. "Arthur, I have a letter to write. Is Dumbledore informed?"

"Yes. Minerva is with him over the holidays," replied Mrs Weasley.

Satisfied with the answer Snape swept from the kitchen, taking his coffee and Mr Weasley's paper with him. Hermione and Harry looked at each other.

"What do you think he'll tell Malfoy?" asked Harry. "Do you think they're friends?"

"That's hard to tell," said Hermione softly. "I wouldn't put it past Snape to keep some allies. Who could blame him?"

"Now children, that's not a topic for the breakfast table. Come, eat as long as the croissants are still warm."

After a last glance at each other Harry and Hermione complied. But the worry wouldn't ebb away. If anything Harry felt even more dread well up his throat. The lump in his stomach made it difficult to eat the wonderful rolls and croissants. From the corner of his eye he saw Hermione pick at her food morosely.

The topic was squelched completely by Mrs Weasley when the rest of her children stumbled into the kitchen and Harry and Hermione couldn't take it upon themselves to spoil their appetite. So they sipped their tea and thought about the possibilities the new developments gave Umbridge and Fudge and, in the end, Voldemort.

As soon as Ginny had filled her stomach enough to survive until lunch she demanded that they went upstairs and 'did something'. Harry and Hermione complied gladly, dragging a protesting Ron with them. Fred and George who had picked up on Harry's morose mood jumped up quickly and followed them.

"But I wasn't done eating yet!" wailed Ron pitifully.

"Oh, shut it, Ron!" snapped Hermione. She dragged Ron by the arm and stormed up the stairs and into Harry's room.

Harry, Fred, George and Ginny followed her. Fred sealed the room against eavesdroppers while George locked the door with a short flick of his wand. They gathered on Harry's couch and nibbled on some cookies Twinky had left there a few days before.

"Okay Harry, spill it," demanded George. "Something's bothering you and Hermione, and we don't like to see you bothered."

"Yeah, talk," agreed Fred. "I'm sure Ginny and Ron would want to know, too."

"Know what?" Ron looked from Fred to Hermione and from her to Harry. "What has happened now?"

Hermione sighed deeply. "If you'd read the Daily Prophet you'd know. Anyway, we heard from your dad that he had to clear his desk for his successor last night. And now guess who it is. I bet you wouldn't guess right in a thousand years."

"Avery," said Fred immediately. "Or that stupid ox McNair."

"What's the name of the department?" George asked. "Did they rename dad's department, let's say like Department for and of Brainless Twats? Oh no, that would include the rest of Fudge's people, too …"

"They made the Department for Rescues of Muggles the Department for Actions against Muggle Intrusions. Can you believe it?" said Hermione bitterly.

"And who's the head of said department?" Ginny asked impatiently. "I don't want to play games right now."

Harry sighed. "It's Narcissa Malfoy. When 'Mione and I heard it we couldn't believe it."

"I can see that," muttered Ginny. "We saw her at the Quidditch World Cup, right?"

"She's a stuck up snob, just like the rest of the family," said Ron hatefully. "But I guess they deserve each other."

"Snape couldn't believe it, either," added Hermione darkly. "He went to write a letter to Malfoy senior. I hope this is something Malfoy has to choke on."

"His own wife wouldn't annoy him, would she?" said Fred. "But then again, we don't know a thing about bitchy wives, now do we, Forge?"

"No we don't, Gred," said George cheerfully. "But we will soon, hopefully." He sighed happily. "And I would allow Katie to be as bitchy as she wants."

"That's not the point," snapped Hermione in an annoyed voice. "The point is that Umbridge and Fudge are making a farce of the Ministry and everybody is just bloody watching."

"What can they do, 'Mione?" said Harry quietly. "Right now they can't do anything against Fudge. The next election is three years away. If he doesn't die or gets sacked spectacularly I see no chance of getting him out of the Ministry."

"Dying sounds like a really good option," said Fred and bared his teeth. "But we promised mom not to do something stupid."

"How can that be stupid?" Hermione asked icily. "It's proven that a well-aimed shot every now and then hasn't hurt history at all." She crossed her arms over her chest. "And the best argument for an assassination would certainly be the end of idiocy."

"I would rather let Fudge feel it when we attack his position," said Harry gleefully. "We can always count on Luna's dad and the Quibbler, and maybe Rita Skeeter."

"Only if we absolutely must," sniffed Hermione.

"Besides, what do you think would happen if Umbridge came back to school?" Harry continued. He stood up and started pacing. "Fred, George, your snack boxes were a live saver. And your fireworks, simply fantastic. Umbridge must be completely nuts if she tries to come back."

"Does anybody want to bet on that?" George asked happily. "I bet five galleons that she comes back in April."

"Five for March," countered Ginny, together with Fred.

"April," said Hermione after a minute of silent contemplating. Harry followed her bet while Ron betted on March, too.

"Let's just hope she won't try again," said Ginny wearily. "If I have to see her disgusting grin again I'm going to throttle her."

"Don't forget gloves," said George. "Her drool could be infectious."

"Ewww," said Ron in disgust.

"I think we talked enough about Umbridge," said Harry resolutely. "Who's up to some training?"

"Me!" cried Ron.

"Me too," said Fred. "And George too."

"Hermione and I, too," said Ginny.

"Good," said Harry. "Then take your wands and come. I learned a few cool spells yesterday night."

Harry led his friends out of his rooms and up the stairs, all the while feeling like whistling a merry tune. Even the news about Lucius Malfoy's wife in Mr Weasley's office couldn't lessen his good mood. When they were all in the warded room Harry closed the door and locked it expertly while Hermione used her new wand to put some strong silencing charms up.

"Okay, we'll start first with wandless magic. Put your wands on the floor, yes, over there, Ginny, and then come back here and try to summon them."

Harry put his wand down with the others and retreated to where his friends were standing in a line. "Now look. 'Mione told me that everybody can do it. Just try to get the hang of it, alright?"

They nodded. Hermione tried first to summon her wand but without it the spell didn't work. The next was Ron who had similar results, despite a slight twitch of his wand nothing happened. The same went for Ginny and the twins. Then Harry tried it and the wand flew happily into his hand.

"Okay, it is hard," said Harry sheepishly when they glared weakly at him. "But you'll manage. Try to use your index finger as your wand. It should work if you concentrate enough."

"Why are you so good at it already?" Ginny asked distractedly. She pointed at her wand and hissed "Accio!" over and over.

"I have no idea," replied Harry and shrugged. "But I guess I did so much wandless magic when I was too young for Hogwarts that I trained it somehow. You'll be able to do it, too. Just keep trying."

Hermione pointed strictly at her wand with her outstretched finger. "Accio!" she ordered. The wand actually rolled a bit in her direction and she crowed in triumph.

"It's harder than doing magic without words," complained Ron. "My-bloody-wand-doesn't-move!"

Ginny snickered. "You're too impatient, Ron," she said.

Fred and George fooled around with their wands. Fred cried "Accio Forge's wand!" while George did it the other way round, crying "Accio Gred's wand!" To Ron's great annoyance it even worked. Hermione just shook her head at the twin's antics while Harry was glad that they had gotten around to it so quickly.

"Accio Fred's wand," said Hermione when the rolling wand hit against her shoe. It flew straight up in her hand.

Fred grinned. "Try to get your own wand, 'Mione," he said. "Accio!" The wand flew out of Hermione's hand and back to Fred.

"Oh wonderful, I can get other wands but not mine," she muttered.

Harry levitated her wand back to the other side of the room. "Try again," he said. "You'll do it, don't be too uptight. You're blocking yourself." He then left her to try and went to Ginny who had similar success with Ron's wand, but not her own.

"I don't understand it," said Ginny when he stood next to her. "I can get Ron's wand easier than mine! That's absolutely strange."

Harry raised both eyebrows, then used Ginny's wand carefully to levitate his own wand to the other side of the room, next to Hermione's. "Maybe it's a family thing," he said, offhandedly waving at his wand to get it back. With a sound smack it landed in his palm and he curled his fingers around it. "Now let's have a go at Hermione's wand." He pointed at it and said "Accio!" The wand struggled against his spell but rolled obediently closer nonetheless.

Ginny ogled. "Wow. Her wand doesn't seem to like you very much, Harry," she said curiously.

"Yeah, and I couldn't do magic with it, either," replied Harry. "I guess it's because it is a shared wand." He levitated it back so Hermione could continue. He then tried to summon Ginny's wand, and it flew back to him flawlessly. "Curious," he muttered.

Fred and George got bored after half an hour of practicing, thus Harry decided to move on to the spells they had in their study plan. He pulled it out of his waistband, smoothed it with a quick spell and opened it.

"We can start with the blinding spell," said Harry. "We have the counter curse, so who's going to be our victim?"

Ron declared himself willing and let Harry try the spell out first after a few turns against the wall. When Harry hit Ron with the curse, Ron stumbled a bit, then reached up to his face.

"Wow," said Ron in amazement. "It's like a blindfold, only I can't take it off. I see nothing at all."

"Thanks for being a volunteer," said Harry and took the curse off his friend. "Now everybody tries the wand movement against the wall, okay? We can't afford to wreak havoc, your parents would have our heads. Not to mention Snape's clever remarks." He grinned and the twins gave him the thumbs-up.

When Harry was sure everybody had mastered the spell and the wand movement he let them try out on him. Hermione stood ready to take the spells from him. Fred and George did it flawlessly, but Ginny's spell was too weak and he could break it with a simple "Finite Incantatem!" and Ron stuttered while he spoke the words, thus making Harry not blind but deaf. Thankfully Hermione's counter curse worked on that, too.

Satisfied, Harry moved on to stronger tripping spells, the finger-clamping spell and finally to the Grimantula Curse. He had wanted to try it out since he first saw Snape perform it. Maybe then Ron would overcome his ridiculous fear of the black dogs.

They managed to leave the room before somebody came looking for them. Sirius and Remus knew they were practicing but Ron, Ginny and the twins thought it safer to let Mrs Weasley believe they were just doing teenage things. Harry thought that the woman could be incredibly naïve when it came to her children.

After washing up and putting their wands back in their rooms they marched downstairs to the Living Room where the adults were already seated around the table. Dumbledore was back, smiling merrily and talking to Snape about one thing or another. Harry noticed Hermione's very smug smirk; Snape looked as if he wanted to murder Dumbledore for the things he said to him. Then Snape's dark eyes flickered to Hermione, caught her sneer and his scowl became even worse.

"I think they're just talking about my detention," whispered Hermione, smirking evilly. "And I think it's not going as Snape has planned."

"Lucky you," mumbled Harry back. "But I wouldn't push it."

Hermione sat down onto the couch and crossed her legs. "Oh, I think Snape needs to be pushed sometimes. Otherwise we would all be part of his collection of vile things in glasses, don't you think?"

"As appealing as that may seem, Miss Granger, you of all people should know that human parts are not part of any potion, save for hair and blood," said Snape through the room. "Not that I would have a problem taking it from you, mind you."

,,Aaaargh!" cried Ron and clapped his hands over his ears.

Harry and Hermione jumped at having been overheard by Snape but Ginny just groaned audibly.

"Not again!" muttered Ron, taking his hands from his ears. "If I hear that sentence one more time I'm going to murder someone!"

"That's a reason but not a hindrance, obviously," replied Hermione smugly, ignoring Ron's whining. "Or do you want to tell me Malaysian shrink heads are part of a potion, Professor?"

Snape smirked right back. "Then you should be careful indeed, Miss Granger, Potter." He stared at Ron, smirking even more. "Weasley," he added as an afterthought. Ron visibly flinched.

Harry rolled his eyes and elbowed Hermione slightly. "We wanted to be nice to him," he whispered. "Let's start on him now, not only in school."

Hermione giggled. "Okay."

Fred and George, who sat next to Harry, winked. Snape stared at them suspiciously, ignoring Dumbledore's oppressive look. Hermione leaned over to Harry, touching his arm slightly. "I think I could start with another counselling session," she said quietly. "Knowing him it would freak him out."

"Keep the big guns for later, 'Mione," replied Harry, snickering slightly. "You have two months to wear him down, after all."

Snape's suspicion made room for his ever-present opprobrious stare when he saw them whisper. Harry couldn't really blame him; the pranks the twins alone had played on him were reason enough to be more than cautious and less than cordial. When Snape saw that nothing immediate was about to happen he finally turned his attention back to Dumbledore who had chattered on for quite a while without him listening.

"He was awfully cordial today himself," muttered Hermione. "I wonder why."

"Maybe he was just confused," said Ron and shrugged. "Anyway, I'm hungry."

"Smells like fish," said Fred and took his fork. "I hope mom let Twinky take the bones out. She never manages to get that right."

"Really," Hermione blurted out. "But she's such a good cook!"

George smirked. "Everybody has something they're not very good at. And mom's field of dishonour are fish bones."

Harry and Ron laughed.

"I wonder what Snape is unable to do," said Ron when he had calmed down.

"If you must know, Weasley, I can't mix perfumes," said Snape haughtily over the table.

"Yeah, or flavour your healing potions," added Harry just as haughtily.

"That's not a fault, Potter, that's my personal entertainment," said Snape smugly.

"Oh, right," said Harry pleasantly. "My fault, then."

"What is he, a vampire?" hissed Ginny. "I swear, we talked so quietly not even that Skeeter woman in her beetle form could have heard us whispering!"

"Maybe he has some Extendable Ears hidden," mused Fred.

"Or he's just fine-tuned to us," said George thoughtfully. "I wouldn't be surprised …"

"I wouldn't be, either," muttered Hermione, smiling benevolently when she caught Snape staring at her.

Mrs Weasley bustled in and slammed plates onto the table, making the others jump. Fred and George fought about the right to charm every plate on its respective place. Then Twinky popped in to bring the cutlery and the food.

Only then Remus and Sirius appeared in the doorway. Both looked a bit ruffled and relaxed. Harry bit his lip to suppress a bright grin. Snape sneered at the newcomers before he resumed listening to Dumbledore once more.

"How wonderful to finally see you," snapped Mrs Weasley when she came back into the Living Room with a bottle of Cola and a jug of juice.

Sirius regarded her coolly. "Nobody asked you to play mother hen, Molly," he said. "We have Twinky for that." He smiled at Twinky who curtsied, clearly flattered. "And if the children are hungry they can ask Twinky whenever they want." He crossed his arms in front of his chest and smirked.

Mrs Weasley's mouth opened and closed a few times but Sirius' short speech had rendered her speechless.

"It's his house, Molly," said Remus quietly. "Stop playing housekeeper when nobody asked you to." He steered Sirius to the table and shooed him to a chair.

"That's the gratitude for working myself up in here!" screeched Mrs Weasley. Her face turned a bright, unbecoming red. Harry felt his suspicions confirmed as to where Ron might have gotten his infamous temper. "Oh well, then I'll leave you to it!" She huffed and sat down, scowling profusely.

Ron leaned towards Harry. "She is so fidgety she is likely going to be caught handling a broom later, anyway."

"And she tends to forget that we're all grown people now," said Fred from Harry's other side.

Snape snorted not-so-subtly about that. "Mr Weasley, if we were all grown up we wouldn't have that conversation, now would we?"

"As if! She's still washing our underwear if she gets her hands on it," replied George, looking slightly affronted. "Despite our very own House Elf. She never trusts anyone with anything."

Mrs Weasley attempted to open her mouth but Mr Weasley was holding on her arm and shook his head quite strictly.

"We might have scarred her for life," added Fred thoughtfully. "But be it as it may, it's just her mothering, nothing else. As long as she doesn't hound our fiancées we couldn't care less."

Mrs Weasley flinched.

"You haven't even proposed yet!" said Hermione, quite appalled at their forwardness.

Snape sneered. "Some bonds don't require words to be confirmed, Miss Granger. I would think Miss Bell and Miss Johnson are thinking along the same lines, pragmatic women that they are."

"Is that pride in your voice, Professor?" Fred asked genially.

"Hardly," said Snape coolly.

"Who would have thought," muttered Sirius quietly, running a hand through his black hair.

"We are, of course, expecting you at our wedding," said George.

Snape looked affronted for a second, along with Sirius, Ginny and Mrs Weasley, but then he smirked. "Really. I already suspected you would want to shock, but that much?"

Sirius, Harry and Ron snorted into their water glasses, spraying a bit over the table cloth. Instead of being a snarky git Snape seemed to be in an especially good mood today. He just regarded the twins lazily and traced the rim of his own glass thoughtfully. Dumbledore looked at their light bantering with his usual serene smile and that twinkle in his eyes.

"We don't want you as a part of the show," said George, fingering his knife idly. "We'd rather that you enjoy the show with the other guests. We are not evil all the time, Professor."

"You have yet to prove that point," replied Snape and sneered.

"Do we? Oh my, Gred, I think we forgot that somewhere along the way," said George, acting distressed.

"In that case we will have to prove ourselves soon," said Fred and winked. "And I have a feeling it won't be too long until then."

"Oh, the joys," muttered Snape, sipping his water.

Twinky chose the moment to serve the food, piling fish, potatoes and vegetables on the table. In less than two minutes the wedding, Fudge, Umbridge or Hogwarts were forgotten in favour of the deliciously smelling food.

Remus and Sirius held back during lunch. Sirius seemed wary of Snape's good mood while Remus kept staring distrustfully at Mrs Weasley. Harry wondered if he was still angry at her for trying to forbid him to bake. He probably was. Harry didn't know Remus as well as Sirius because he was less out-going than his godfather but he betted on his most treasured photo albums that he could hold a very long grudge if he wanted to. Moreover, it really had to be annoying to be mothered by a person who was roughly your own age, and did it in your own house at that.

Sirius whispered something into Remus' ear and received a sly smile in return. Harry wondered what they were up to. But before he could indulge too much into observing his godfathers Ron nudged him accidentally while reaching for the potatoes, waking Harry from his musings. Guiltily, he resumed eating, washing down the baked fish with a large gulp of Cola.

Lunch passed without a new bout of bantering. Harry just picked at his food, knowing that he wanted and needed his appetite later when they were going out.

Fred and George to his left were talking to Snape about their own evening out and the pubs they wanted to visit. Snape listened and threw the one or other location in, mentioning some cocktails Harry had never heard about.

Fred and George, however, seemed ecstatic for the tips. Mr Weasley watched his sons with slight concern but seemed not inclined to say anything at all about their plans with Snape. They were adults, after all.

The only one who didn't seem to appreciate the quiet moments of companionship was Mrs Weasley. She was still scowling and pushing her food around on her plate.

After lunch Harry and the others retreated once more to the warded room, eager to train some more until Harry, Fred and George had to get ready for the evening. The closer the hours got to six the more anxious Hermione and Ginny got.

"What's up with you girls?" Ron asked finally in exasperation. "They're just going to eat something somewhere!"

"No, that's the Palazzo Italiano they're going to!" said Hermione indignantly, "A really good and exclusive Muggle restaurant with Mediterranean food."

"And I'm really looking forward to it," said Harry. "Under whose name did you book?"

"UnderSmith," replied Hermione and smirked. "Sometimes the oldest tricks are the best."

"Please tell me my name is not John Smith," groaned Harry.

"No, Henry Smith will do," said Hermione and winked. "But really, do you think some Death Eaters with family will spend their little time looking for you in Muggle London when you are believed to be at Hogwarts, coddled and protected?"

"I should hope they wouldn't," said Harry. "Will I have any problems getting in? I mean, they don't know me or the others."

"No. They know my family already and I introduced you as a friend of the family. That's why you got a table there on such short notice." Hermione flattened her bushy hair a bit, only to have it spring up again.

"Wow, 'Mione has connections," crooned Fred.

"I think you should get ready," said Hermione, glaring at the twins. "We won't get anything done as long as you and these two," she indicated Fred and George with a careless wave of her hand, "are hanging around and being giddy. Oh, and I put your Muggle money on your coffee table. It's in a wallet."

Harry glanced at his watch and shrugged. "Fine by me. Well then, have a good night. Thanks, 'Mione." He smirked. "And don't wait up for us." He indicated himself, Fred and George.

"We might just go to our own flat," said George wisely.

"And maybe take Snape with us. Let's see if we can get him thoroughly pissed, dear brother of mine," said Fred to George.

Harry waved at his friends, pocketed his wand and wallet and then slipped out of the room, closing the door carefully behind himself. Jumping down the stairs, he pondered what he should wear tonight. Hermione had recommended something formal, but not too uptight. Harry thought about his black slacks and a red button down shirt. Remus would disguise him again and if he asked for a bit longer hair and brown eyes it would look okay on him.

Humming, he quickly stripped, strewing his clothes all over the floor on his way to the bathroom. He would have a quick shower and then put his discarded clothes away. He was not the neatest person in the world, but having lived in a very small room for ten years of his life had made him a necessarily tidy person who put things away as soon as possible so as not to stumble over them and possibly break his neck in the process.

After he was finished with his shower he felt the first sign of nerves. He was antsy and fidgety, stumbling over his own feet during his way through his wardrobe (How he did that would remain a mystery to him, he really wasn't that clumsy.) and while he was spraying himself with some discreet deodorant.

He pulled the trousers on, then socks and then the shirt. Harry believed this was the only shirt he possessed that actually was red. Only the Weasley jumpers could have the colour, but other than that Harry had heard from both salespersons and classmates that red just wasn't his most complimenting colour. After tucking the shirt into his trousers he belted them and put his black dress shoes on. They were shiny leather, something Malfoy would probably wear. Harry shuddered slightly at the thought. Not that Malfoy had bad taste, it just didn't sit too well with him to do something Malfoy would do.

"Oh well," he sighed, "All for the family." At last he put on a black leather jacket. It moulded around his shoulders as if he had worn it before. Harry liked it because it was comfortable.

Half an hour later he emerged from his room and went down to the Living Room. He had debated with himself forever if he should put on some jewellery or not and had finally, in an act of exasperation, chosen a broad, plain and matted gold ring and Bill's pendant from Egypt around his neck.

Upon entering the Living Room several eyes landed on him. Mrs Weasley got into a coughing fit while Snape sneered at Harry's choice of style. Dumbledore just smiled, along with Mr Weasley.

"Are Sirius and Remus ready?" Harry asked no one in particular, ignoring the stares.

"They left an hour ago for their room," said Snape idly, looking very pleased with himself. Mrs Weasley threw him a dirty look. "And if they're not swallowed by the bedspread they should come out at any moment."

"Severus!" said Mrs Weasley sharply. "Not in front of Harry!"

"Thank you ever so much, Sir," said Harry and smiled at Snape. This was a good moment to start being friendly.

Snape sneered back. "Don't mention it. The thought alone of Black and Lupin rolling in the hay keeps me entertained for hours."

"Wow, Sir, I didn't know you were so easily satisfied," said Harry, sounding genuinely surprised but meaning the complete opposite. Which Snape, of course, noticed.

Mrs Weasley seemed ready for another lecture, and not even Mr Weasley's restraining hand on her arm or Dumbledore's presence seemed to calm her down.

"Easy satisfaction?" Snape asked silkily. "Oh, I don't know. In my opinion one needs a certain amount ofblack humour and a healthy shot of masochism to enjoy this kind of entertainment." He smirked, black eyes glittering in the dim lamplight. "But then again I readily admit my fascination with the morbid and obscure."

Harry snorted back his laughter. Snape's way with words could be really amusing sometimes. He also wondered why Snape was so tolerable today. Maybe the prospect of lots and lots of alcohol lifted his spirits. Harry decided that he would look forward to obscene inebriation too if he had to live in a house with persons he really didn't like, so he let the topic slide and sat on a chair to wait for Sirius and Remus. They still had half an hour to go and he was in no particular hurry. Hermione had said that they would be there in about fifteen minutes if they took a cab.

Of course Mrs Weasley couldn't leave him alone. She carefully asked him if he really wanted to go out in this outfit, and every time Harry responded patiently in the affirmative. Snape was smirking his mouth off behind her back and Dumbledore did nothing to stop the ridiculous interrogation. After the fifth time Harry simply refused to answer her. He didn't need to feel like an idiot for babbling the same thing over and over again when it was perfectly clear that she understood him.

Thankfully Remus and Sirius entered the room only a few minutes later. Both wore fashionable trousers and shirts. While Sirius was going in creamy white pinstripe Remus had chosen the suede look. And they already had their glamour charms on.

Sirius towered over most of them, looking simply elegant. Now he again had dark blond hair. Remus had made his face a bit milder but left the eyes in their natural shape and colour. Sirius had chosen slightly tousled dark hair for his mate, and pale green eyes. The nose was slightly too big for his face but not out of place. Remus still looked good enough to be content with himself.

Before Remus could do mischief Harry explained to him what he wanted to look like. Grudgingly, Remus did as he was asked, although Harry noted his disappointed expression. A few minutes later Harry barely resembled himself anymore. He looked like a young Italian with his longish, curly hair, his still slightly tanned skin and the now dark brown eyes. Remus had also made his jaw quite a bit broader, his eyebrows heavily arched and covered his scar with Muggle make-up.

"Potter, if you could stay that way I might find you tolerable," said Snape snidely when Remus was done.

Harry eyed himself in a mirror. "I might find myself tolerable, too," he replied airily. "But it's too poncy for my taste. I wouldn't want to look like that forever."

Snape sneered and looked Harry over. "It will do for tonight, Potter. And behave yourself if you should come into the highly unlikely situation of running into a known Death Eater in Muggle London."

"Why should it be so unlikely?" Harry asked and raised his eyebrows. "I imagine that everybody needs a break. Even full-time Death Eaters." Snape stared stonily at him as if he'd lost his mind. Dumbledore, however, smiled encouragingly. Harry grinned impishly. "You could certainly need a break, Professor."

"Be it as it may," said Snape. "I think your company is waiting, Potter. Now be gone."

"You're throwing me out of my own home?" Harry asked, more in amusement than annoyance, although Sirius bristled slightly. "Anyway, I have no time to enjoy your insults, Professor. Have a good night. And don't trouble Fred and George too much. And do try to keep your hangover potions hidden from them if you want to live tomorrow." He smirked at Snape and turned to go, revelling in the murderous look he received.

Harry led Sirius and Remus out of Grimmauld Place and directly into the nearest, shabby street of Muggle London. The two trailed obediently behind, letting Harry be the one in charge.

The wind was cold and blew into their faces; tiny snowflakes got caught in their hair and on their clothes. At this time of the evening not many people were out and about and they had no difficulties at all to get a cab.

The cab driver looked at them suspiciously, clearly wondering what three men, clothed in such fine fabrics, were doing here of all places. Harry ignored his inquisitive stare and looked at the man coolly. Remus and Sirius did their part to intimidate the driver.

"To the Palazzo Italiano," ordered Harry curtly. When the man didn't spring to action immediately he raised an arched eyebrow at him. This seemed to do the trick well because the man jumped and hurried to get the car going.

True to Hermione's words they got out of the cab fifteen minutes later. Harry paid the man, then he led Remus and Sirius into the restaurant, showing a confidence that he didn't quite feel.

Upon entering he was immediately swamped with scents and noises. People behind the curtain of the reception talked with each other. There was much laughter and animating music; it seemed a small band was playing live. Harry could also clearly hear the sounds of cutlery clinking or occasional steps of the waiters or guests who were going to the loo, perhaps.

"Good evening," said the receptionist politely. He was a man in the prime of his life; he was maybe forty years old, had uninteresting brown hair and brown eyes. His face was schooled into the professional face that was required.

Harry regarded him for a second or two, then he returned the greeting. "Good evening. We have reserved under the name ofHenry Smith." He looked at his watch and saw that they were fifteen minutes early, just as Hermione had advised.

The waiter, the name tag on his vest read Bob Pringle, bowed over slightly, presumably to have a look at his list. After a while he looked up again and nodded.

"Certainly, Mr Smith," said Pringle. "Miss Granger informed us." He smiled briefly. "But I'm afraid you have to wait a bit until a table is available." He inclined his head a bit. "It's like that during the holidays. I hope you understand, Sir."

"Of course." Harry smiled reassuringly. It was the first, true sentiment since he was in his disguise.

He, Sirius and Remus made room for other guests and stood a bit aside, surveying the offered drinks and nibbles on the bar. Obviously this restaurant had decided not to have a waiting room, instead the waiting guests could have a look at a small exhibition of local artists and make small talk with other waiting guests if they so wished. The reception room was certainly large enough and gave off a certain, distinguished charme.

After a minute or two a young waiter came up and offered them sparkling wine. They accepted, having nothing else to do than wait and sip the bubbly liquid.

Harry looked at his watch again. Sirius and Remus were talking to each other quietly and he granted them the quiet minute by stepping away slightly and directing his attention elsewhere. He started to look at the pictures that adorned the wall and showed landscapes of Italia and Greece; harbours, ships, houses, landscapes and, occasionally, sheep or birds. He liked them; they had a flair of summer and freshness that made him long for a good, long vacation there.

It was three to eight when he looked at his watch again. If they were lucky they would get a table soon and could relax. The ringing of the doorbell announced another guest and Harry turned slightly in interest.

But he really did not like what he was seeing.

After a moment in which he regained his composure he dared to look again. No, it had not been a bad dream, nor was it a treacherous image of his mind. There they stood in all their glory: Fudge, Umbridge and, he couldn't believe it, the whole Malfoy family.

Harry hissed quietly and pretended to saunter back carelessly to his godfathers. He saw that they had seen them already, too. Sirius' working jaw and Remus' flabbergasted face were enough to calm Harry in the oddest way. A bit.

He quickly reassured himself that there was no way Malfoy could see through his glamour charms, not without using his wand. It still felt weird, he felt exposed and thrilled at the same time. To distract himself from the jumbling thoughts he directed his attention back to the newcomers.

Umbridge simpered at Pringle who seemed, to Harry's delight, rather disgusted. Fudge stood aside, smiling generously. Harry wondered what had made the Malfoys of all people come with Fudge for dinner.

"You'll see, Lucius, this restaurant is the best," said Fudge just in that moment. "Your lovely wife informed me of your tastes regarding Mediterranean food and I simply had to bring you here."

Umbridge smacked her toady lips in a show of delight. "Aah, it's a wonderful establishment, Lucius, really wonderful."

Lucius Malfoy didn't look pleased. Neither did his son, Harry noticed. A smirk crept upon his lips and he just barely managed not to snicker at their misfortune. At least they had managed to dress impeccably in Muggle clothes which he couldn't say about Fudge or Umbridge.

While Malfoy senior and junior both wore black pants, white shirts and grey pinstripe vests under their black coats, Fudge wore a horrible lime green pinstripe suit and Umbridge looked like a washed up version of herself while she resided at Hogwarts last year (Harry refused to call it teaching).

Her black skirt was too short for her thick, stubby legs, and the bright pink cardigan looked as if it belonged to the sixtieth. She had a horrible yellow bow in her sloppily cut, mouse brown hair and put on some make-up, especially around her small, mean, beady eyes. Harry thought that she should rather try without. The worst part, the part that made him unbelievably angry in less than a second, was her slack mouth that was now stretched into a sickeningly sweet, false smile. She alternated between clinging to Malfoy senior and Malfoy fils. Although Harry might have thought both deserved it he reckoned that nobody deserved Umbridge.

But the most eccentric of all was Narcissa Malfoy. She was a truly beautiful woman, dressed in a black, tight dress Harry would like to call a 'widow's dress', complete with small, fashionable hat and veil. She wore a shiny fur coat over her pale shoulders. She could afford to flaunt herself like that, although it looked rather weird. The young waiter who had served Harry, Sirius and Remus earlier was back with the same offer, staring blatantly at Narcissa Malfoy's red lips and deep décolleté neckline.

"What a bitch," murmured Sirius quietly in Harry's ear. "She's an Ice Queen par excellence. I have to give Snivellus that."

"Why, she seems to match perfectly with Malfoy and their spawn," replied Harry dryly. "And my biggest problem right now is Umbridge. Do you think someone will notice if I drown her in the loo?"

They watched how the young waiter skulked around Narcissa. His attentions were thoroughly ignored by her husband, and Draco looked around, obviously bored with the company. Then, suddenly, Lucius raised his head a bit higher, stood stiff. Umbridge and Fudge perked up and looked at him expectantly. Feeling obviously caught, Malfoy said in a forcedly cordial voice: "Yes, what a delightful establishment, Fudge. I never knew Muggles could have such taste in decorations."

Harry smirked, but Malfoy's eyes were on him now. The man's staring became unnerving after a few seconds. He refused to retreat into the protection of Sirius' and Remus' bodies though. Defiantly he stared back, arching the already arched eyebrow even higher.

"What are you doing?" hissed Remus from the corner of his mouth. "Don't attract his attention even more!" They had changed their voices, just in case, but right now Harry could hear it dripping with Remus' concern, sounding like only Remus could sound.

Lucius Malfoy's staring made Draco stare, too. Harry groaned silently, pointedly staring back at the two. It was creepy how those two interacted! But he would not turn around, even if he was supposed to be a Muggle and act inconspicuously.

Narcissa Malfoy noticed her husband staring but obviously decided to ignore it in favour of flirting with the hopelessly infatuated waiter.

Umbridge seemed undecided between demanding to know why Malfoy was staring at him and watching the scene of young love.

Harry knew he really had stared too long when Lucius Malfoy finally stepped up to him, scrutinising his form intently. Draco stood by his side, almost as tall as his father but not quite as intimidating. With a start Harry noticed that Malfoy had his hair not combed back but rather put into a small ponytail. When had it become long enough for that?

Lucius Malfoy's nostrils flared a bit before he inclined his head slightly. "Excuse me, I noticed you … looking. Did we meet before?" he asked without preamble.

"No, we didn't," said Harry, "I certainly would remember if I had made your acquaintance, Sir." He was thankful that his now smoother voice didn't waver. His heart beat a mile per second and Malfoy's scent washed over him despite the richly smelling food just behind the curtain. He could feel sweat dampening his skin on his back, and heat rushed into his face. He was very grateful for the dimmed light that hid his obvious reaction. In moments such as this he knew exactly that he was only sixteen and very, very inexperienced when it came to playing with adults.

Malfoy looked more closely, eyes clearly searching for something. "Lucius Malfoy," he said. "Forgive my staring earlier."

Harry took the offered, gloved hand, astounded at how similar this was to their first meeting at Flourish and Blott's. The soft leather felt cool to the first touch and he noticed, quite appalled so, that Malfoy's eyes glittered ominously in the weak light. And that his hair sported some lighter streaks of white blond that he had never noticed before.

"No problem at all. I'm Henry Smith," said Harry, keeping his voice steady with enormous effort.

Harry felt Sirius twitch behind him. Noticing Malfoy's interested look, he decided to dismiss his companions. Malfoy would have to ask him about them; it gave him more time to think about cover-up names. Malfoy was probably too well-mannered to ask about them, anyway. Besides, it couldn't hurt that Malfoy might think of him as an ill-mannered person. He was just lucky that his racing heart was finally calming down from the shock of too-close proximity.

Malfoy was still looking searchingly at him, holding his hand longer than necessary. Draco noticed and raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. Pringle, the chef waiter, cautiously stepped up to them and cleared his throat subtly.

"Mr Smith, I will escort you to your table now."

"Wonderful," said Harry and smiled. "Well, have a nice evening, Mr Malfoy." His contemptuous gaze lingered on Fudge and Umbridge who looked over to him and both Malfoys suspiciously. "It was nice to meet you."

"My pleasure," replied Malfoy distractedly. Draco next to him smirked slightly about Harry's condescending look at Fudge and Umbridge. The moment let Harry feel a pang of odd understanding between them.

Harry turned and shooed Sirius and Remus into the restaurant. Before the curtain closed behind them he could hear Umbridge ask Malfoy in her simpering voice what they had talked about.

Pringle showed Harry to their table. It was thankfully secluded and a bit away from the centre of the restaurant. Harry hoped Fudge and his guests would be seated at the other end of the room. He had no desire to keep down tonight.

After a waiter had brought them glasses with water and salad the tension finally melted. Sirius dabbed his sweaty brow with his napkin and glared at Harry.

"You're impossible!" he admonished. "You and your recklessness!" He glared at Harry, but then, suddenly, he smiled broadly. "I'm so proud of you! You handled it like a man!" He clapped Harry heartily on the back.

Remus scowled at Sirius and Harry. "They could have discovered who we really are!" he hissed angrily. "Malfoy already was suspicious, Merlin knows why, and then you just had to talk to him!"

"I was scared shitless," said Harry quietly. "There's no need to be mad at me, I know I was an idiot. But I couldn't help myself." He shrugged. "I tried, really." He didn't say, however, that he had only tried for a second to avoid the lot altogether. It had been too spooky to see all of his archenemies in a Muggle restaurant and right in front of his nose. It still was, for that matter.

Remus huffed and started to eat his salad. "If we see them again tonight do try to keep out of Malfoy's way, Harry. We mustn't endanger our disguise."

"I promise," said Harry earnestly. "Now, look at that gorgeous menu and order whatever you want. We came here to celebrate Christmas, not pore over enemies."

Sirius' face immediately brightened and Remus' face also showed sincere joy. Both made a grab for a menu and looked at the offered foods. Sirius made his choice quickly while Harry and Remus needed a bit longer to decide. A waiter recommended wine and took their orders. When he left Harry smiled at Remus and Sirius. It would be a wonderful evening, Fudge or no.

-------

When Harry, Remus and Sirius staggered up the front steps of Grimmauld Place Nr 12 it was early morning. The night sky was clear and sprinkled with stars. Myriads of them dusted the black, endlessly wide dome, making a spectacle of the calm winter night.

Their evening at the Palazzio Italiano had been a success. After the first course and some wine the mood had lightened. Umbridge, Fudge and the Malfoys were quickly forgotten, especially since they couldn't be seen by them. The food was indeed delicious, the music was animating and becoming gayer by the hour and the drinks they had after the last spoonful of tiramisu were quite enough to make everyone of them light-headed and a bit stupid.

But the best was when they had been getting ready to leave. In the foyer where Pringle had hung their coats away Umbridge had made quite a scene. She was obviously full to the brink with wine and other drinks. She had flirted shamelessly with Malfoy senior who had hidden gracelessly behind his son and wife, without much success.

Fudge had just stood there, watching Umbridge out of his beady eyes, crumpling his lime green bowler between his hands. Harry had silently hoped for a scene, but Fudge was obviously disciplining his concubines in private. Not that it wouldn't give Umbridge a kick, he thought disgustedly.

The cab drive back to the big lane near their dark, shoddy street where Nr 12 was located passed without problems. Harry paid the driver and gave him a generous tip. Tired and exhausted as they were they somehow wrestled the key into the keyhole of Grimmauld Place Nr 12 and bowled into the house's dark foyer. Twinky appeared, fresh and eager as always, and took their coats away. Sirius and Remus were too drunk to do anything else than taking the glamours off with a hiccupped "Finite Incantatem!" and stumbling into their room afterwards, so Harry let them go and fought his way up the dark stairs.

His sight was blurry, now that Remus had taken offthe eye-correcting charm whichhad been part of his disguise. He snorted in self-pity and groped his way along the banister. He was far too lazy right now to care about lightsbut too awake not to be annoyed by the lack thereof.

When he had it finally made up to his room and halfway safe into his bed, other things flooded his mind. The strongest memory was his brief, involuntary meeting with Draco Malfoy in the men's loo of the restaurant.

They had stood next to each other while washing their hands, and Malfoy had offhandedly commented on his perfume, even asked what it's name was. Harry had answered that he had borrowed a perfume from his uncle and that he didn't know its name. Malfoy had not been poking for more information but it was creepy all the same. If Malfoy was still able to recognise a scent under all the different scents in the restaurant he should be more on his guard when it came to disguising.

Still, Harry thought, fate had an interesting sense of humour. To throw them together at the unlikeliest place of all; to make him spend an evening in the same room with his sworn enemies Umbridge, Fudge and the Malfoys. In that order.

Sleepily, he revelled in Lucius Malfoy's annoyance at both the Muggle establishment Fudge had dragged him and his family to (that this had happened to Malfoy, Mudblood-and-Muggle-hater deluxe would serve Harry's amusement for quite some time) and the fact that Malfoy also had to spend an utterly horrible night with Umbridge of all people. It made his eyes tear up with repressed laughter. He couldn't wait to tell Ron and Hermione everything about it tomorrow. And maybe he could even shove down Snape's throat that not everything was out of question.

Oh the irony of it all, thought Harry sarcastically and yanked his covers up to his chin.

He just hoped the room would stop spinning sometime soon. Unfortunately Remus and Sirius had allowed him to drink as much as he wanted. He had looked quite a bit older than usual and they obviously had thought he could do with a good, stiff drink or three to forget about Fudge and attachment.

Harry smirked. Hadn't it been adorable how Malfoy had tried to hide from Umbridge? Wasn't it nice how Draco had tried to shield his father? Shivering in morbid delight, Harry wondered if Draco's love for his father was really so great that he'd throw himself in the way if Umbridge should try to accost him. Somehow he was thankful that he'd seen them tonight. It had made the evening a lot more interesting than it would normally have been.

With thoughts about the two Malfoys in his mind Harry drifted off to sleep, sighing in contentment. The alcohol in his body made it easy to just slip away, to finally give in to the lure of rest and peace. Soon after he'd closed his eyes he passed out completely, having the small advantage of being unattainable to Lord Voldemort tonight.

--------

Harry woke up really late. Weak sunlight shone through his windows and fell on his face. Groaning, he first tried to ignore it. Not because he was tired anymore but because of his pounding headache and parched throat. When he moved every joint and every limb was hurting. Moaning softly, he made it to the side of his bed, holding his head in both hands. Thankfully his silent pleading for mercy was heard by Twinky who popped into his room.

"Good morning, Master Harry Sir," she squeaked happily. "Twinky brought Master Harry a potion, Sir!" She pressed the flacon into Harry's unresisting hand, then she ran into the bathroom to fetch a glass of water. "Master Harry must drink that," she insisted when he hadn't moved when she came back.

Harry groaned. "What is that? Poison? If so I'll be eternally grateful to the person who saved me from a long and horrible death."

"It's a hangover cure, Master Harry," said Twinky. "Master Harry must drink."

Harry fiddled with the stopper of the flacon. Without his glasses and as groggy as he currently was he was as blind as a bat. When he had managed to open it he greedily swallowed the vile tasting liquid and sighed in relief when the haze around his brain lifted and the pain lessened considerably. Gratefully he drank the water Twinky had brought him.

"Thanks," muttered Harry. "Are the others already awake?"

"It's almost time for lunch, Master Harry," informed him Twinky.

"Oh. Okay. I'll take a shower. Would you tell them that I'll be downstairs soon?"

"Of course, Master Harry." Twinky curtsied and popped out of the room.

Sighing Harry groped for his glasses and slipped them on. He felt clammy and sweaty and terribly grimy all over. He stood up, looked down on himself and realised that he had slept in his clothes. Harry grimaced and started to take them off. Stumbling into the shower he vowed never to drink that much, again. At least not until he was more used to it.

He took his time in the bathroom, washing himself thoroughly and brushing his teeth twice to get rid of the velvety feeling he had when he swiped his tongue over them. Only then did he feel human enough to go back into his room, dress into jeans, shirt and a thick pullover. A look in his mirror confirmed his nagging suspicions.

He looked like death warmed over.

Well, thought Harry in amusement. At least it was funny yesterday night.

Whistling lowly, Harry slipped into his trainers and made his way to the Living Room. The strong smell of coffee tickled his nose already. He didn't feel up to eat something right now, but coffee sounded good.

He entered the room and marched over to the couch where Ron, Hermione and Ginny were sitting. Not a second later Twinky popped up and placed a big mug of coffee, a jug with cream and a sugar bowl on the table. His friends looked up in amusement.

"Good morning, Harry," said Hermione after she had regarded him long enough. "How was your evening out?"

Harry added milk and sugar to his coffee and took a good, long sip. "Oh, it was wonderful," he said, letting just the barest hint of sarcasm creep into his voice. "You won't believe me what happened." He looked around, only now realising that no one of the adults was near. "Where are the others?" he asked.

Ginny and Ron instantly scooted closer to him, looking expectant.

Hermione sighed and put down the book she had been reading. "In the kitchen," she said. "Treating Sirius and Remus' hangovers. And asking them what happened yesterday. Dumbledore didn't look very happy."

"What happened, mate? What happened?" Ron asked excitedly. "Did You-Know-Who appear?"

Harry almost choked on his coffee. "Not quite so drastic," he said, coughing. "But you still won't believe me. Harry looked around and then scooted a bit closer to his friends. "It was … funny. We arrived there and waited to get a table and suddenly Fudge comes in."

"Fudge?" squeaked Hermione, flabbergasted.

"And Umbridge," said Harry, feeling smug to get that reaction.

"UMBRIDGE?!" thundered Ron. "That stupid bitch was there?"

"And …," said Harry, gathering some air for the last shoe to drop.

"There's more?" Ginny asked incredulously.

"Much more," replied Harry, grinning impishly. Oh, his friends would love this.

"Stop rambling and tell us already," snapped Hermione impatiently. Her hands were curled to small fists.

"With Fudge and Umbridge were the Malfoys," announced Harry proudly. "In Muggle clothes."

The reactions were interesting, to say the least. Ron was turning brick red and gaped like a fish out of water. Ginny, opposing Ron, became deathly pale. And Hermione was a funny mix of both, she was pale and shaking, red, feverish spots danced on her cheeks, but she was not gaping. Instead she bit her lower lip and stared at Harry in both fury and worry.

"How-why," stammered Ron when he got his bearings back. "I mean, why there of all places?"

"And Umbridge!" squealed Ginny, terrified.

"Why didn't you come back?" Hermione demanded to know. "It was dangerous!"

"It would have looked even more suspicious if we had done that," said Harry, shrugging. "Malfoy and I had a little talk and–"

"YOU WHAT?!" roared Hermione. Harry shrank back slightly. "Why! What about!"

"He was just staring at me and asked if we have met before," replied Harry, smoothing his hair absently. "Nothing serious, really." Three pairs of eyes stared at him as if he had just gone mad. "Look," said Harry impatiently when no one made a move to talk to him, "it was just a stupid accident. Nobody recognised us and everything went well. Don't worry."

The door leading to the kitchen suddenly opened and a whole trek of people wandered in. Mr and Mrs Weasley, Dumbledore, Remus, Sirius and McGonagall seated themselves on the couch and armchairs, looking at them sternly. Harry stared back. Finally Dumbledore sighed and broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Well, as we all now know," he said gravely, "Sirius, Remus and Harry had indeed a run-in with some important people yesterday."

Sirius snorted. "Important my arse," he scoffed. "He is a bloody Death Eater, and his wife is too, and you know it!"

"Sirius, now is not the right time for swearing," admonished Dumbledore lightly. "However, I believe Severus will be quite put out when he hears about your little adventure." Mrs Weasley and Hermione both scoffed rather audibly. "I must admit none of us knew about Fudge's plans for yesterday night."

"The worst part were not the Malfoys," Harry threw in helpfully. "Umbridge was."

Mr Weasley's mouth tightened into a hard line. "I really want to know what she wanted with Lucius Malfoy," he said sourly.

Sirius sneered. "At least the bastard didn't enjoy it."

"That I can believe," said McGonagall dryly. "His dislike for Muggles is quite obvious."

"And then Umbridge tried to molest him," said Harry gleefully. "Fudge was jealous, wasn't he, Sirius?"

"As macabre as it sounds," admitted Sirius weakly. "It could be that Fudge actually has taken a liking to Umbridge."

"Macabre? It's downright vile," muttered Ron. Ginny and Harry nodded vehemently in agreement while Hermione looked so angry Harry feared she'd rip her book to shreds.

"I don't like this one bit," said McGonagall, sounding suddenly tired. "We never knew Fudge had relations so … intimate with the Malfoys."

"I bet the Malfoys didn't know either," muttered Harry. Thankfully no one paid him any mind.

Dumbledore conjured himself a cup of tea. Turning it around in his old, gnarled hands he looked at each of them. "Now I think we have something new to think about," he said airily. Half the room snorted at that. "Arthur, please inform Tonks and Alastor of these occurrences. And ask Kingsley for news."

"Of course, Albus." Mr Weasley rose and left the room.

"Molly, please contact Bill and Charlie and ask them to keep their eyes and ears open. Charlie could owl Mr Krum about the latest news from Durmstrang and the Ministry."

"Certainly," said Mrs Weasley and left through another door.

"Minerva, please inform the rest of the Hogwarts staff. They shall also look out for news."

McGonagall nodded and rose brusquely. "I shall mirror-call Filius at once. He can inform the others."

Dumbledore nodded and waited until she had left. Then he looked at the remaining occupants of the room. "Harry, Sirius, Remus, you need to tell me everything that has happened yesterday. You must tell me about every word they have spoken. It might prove important."

Sirius groaned slightly. "I hate this part of our meetings," he grumbled.

Remus swatted him lightly. "Well then. We arrived at the restaurant and waited for our table to be cleared. Shortly before the waiter seated us Fudge, Umbridge and Lucius, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy entered–"

"I still can't believe that Malfoy voluntarily stepped into a Muggle establishment," said Ron sourly.

"Well, he looked rather forced," replied Harry.

"-and Harry here had nothing better to do than stare at Malfoy senior," continued Remus, pointedly ignoring the chatter of Harry and Ron.

"It was not my fault," said Harry indignantly. "It was too good to see him suffer."

"Anyway, Malfoy and his son came over and asked if they had met," said Remus, giving Harry a disapproving look. "He looked a bit … off."

"Yeah, as if he was doubting the word of a stranger," added Sirius sarcastically. "Gods, he could have the same Harry-detector Snivellus has."

Dumbledore chortled. "So Lucius Malfoy was thrown off by you, Harry. That's interesting. And during your enjoyable meal? Did anything happen?"

Sirius and Remus looked at each other, then shook their heads. Then Sirius perked up. "Oh, Harry went to the loo once. Ask him if there was something interesting."

"Harry?" Dumbledore gave Harry a look over his half moon-shaped spectacles.

Harry squirmed, remembering the surreal encounter of politeness and that strange mix of aloofness and interest. "Oh well, fine. I met Draco there. He did nothing, just asked me about my perfume. I swear it was damn creepy!" Saying Malfoy's first name felt really strange, Harry thought, and he quickly decided not to do it again in the near future.

Hermione, Ron and Ginny were speechless. Sirius and Remus both raised their eyebrows and even Dumbledore looked stunned for the better part of a second.

"He-he asked about your perfume?" Ginny asked shakily. "You have put on some, didn't you?"

"Deodorant spray," said Harry, crossing his arms.

Ron's eyebrows furrowed. "During last term Malfoy asked about Harry's perfume awfully often. And in school Harry almost never wears any."

"Cross out 'almost' and we're on the right track," grumbled Harry. "But I doubt he would ask me all of a sudden about some random scent spray."

Ginny scowled. "I don't like that one bit. What if Malfoy has some freaky power that allows him to smell Harry out? If he had recognised the scent Harry's cover would've been blown."

"Freaky powers," snapped Hermione. "How likely is that, please? They were in Muggle London and in a restaurant they've never been to before. I bet Malfoy just smelled something he liked and that's all."

Dumbledore put his teacup down and cleared his throat. "I'm sure Hermione is right," he said gently. "But if Mr Malfoy should bother you again with that, Harry, let me know it."

"Of course, Sir," replied Harry sarcastically. Of course he would do no such thing. "This is ridiculous," he mouthed to Ron who nodded glumly in response. Sirius and Remus both smirked at Harry.

Dumbledore let his teacup vanish and rose from his seat. "Well then, I'll leave you to your homework, children. I'm sure you have yet to do it. Sirius, Remus, I think you'd love to be present when Severus arrives."

Sirius and Remus both jumped up, their eyes alight with mischief. Harry wondered if they had revenge planned for the way Snape had talked about them last night.

Hermione rolled her eyes when Ron started to make big puppy dog eyes at her. "Before you even ask, yes, I'll look through them, but no, no help beforehand. You have a whole library at your disposal, do something yourself."

Dumbledore chuckled and glided out of the room with Remus and Sirius closely following, shutting the door gently after them.

Ginny and Harry ignored Ron's pleading and went to get their things for their homework. Now that the Living Room was completely deserted they could strew their things about the place without having to fear any reprimands. Not that Sirius would reprimand them; if they were alone in the house, without the Order, Harry betted anything he possessed that he could do whatever he wanted.

When they were back Hermione had already gone back to reading her book. Harry decided that he should read more, too. His cramming sessions with Hermione proved that he could do more if he wanted. And somehow it started to feel shallow to be only good at DADA and maybe Charms.

Ginny burrowed herself in her Transfiguration homework while Ron moaned and bitched about an essay Snape had given him. Harry had one, too, but he didn't find the topic too difficult. Sirius had some good books in his library and the topic had been taught in school already. Besides, strengthening potions were quite interesting, if only for their purpose. Right now Harry decided to work on Flitwick's essay, though. It was easier and he understood the topic.

When everybody was settled and working a comfortable, studious silence fell over the room. Every now and then the rustle of a book page being turned was heard, or the occasional dip when somebody refilled their quill with ink.

Time passed quickly. Harry didn't even notice that they missed lunch; his roiling stomach made quite clear that it didn't want to be bothered with food today, anyway. Only when a door banged and Mrs Black suddenly started to make a huge, bone-chilling ruckus the silence was disturbed.

"TRAITORS! BEASTS! THOSE WHO DISHONOUR THE OLD HOUSE OF BLACK SHALL DIE A HORRIBLE, PAINFUL DEATH!" shrieked Mrs Black.

Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron looked apprehensively at the closed door, trying to figure out who had just arrived and woken the portrait.

"KREACHER! SLAUGHTER THESE WORMS AND BURY THEM IN THE BASEMENT! Feed our Ghoul, make a rattle of their bones–"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU OLD, DESPICABLE, UGLY HAG!" Sirius' voice was, if possible, even louder than that of his mother. The door banged again, and then it was silent. Someone with a kind heart apparently had put the veil back over Mrs Black's picture frame.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It was, however, short-lived because the door to the Living Room crashed open and a more than irate Snape stood in the frame, heaving and looking positively lethal. Harry, Ron and Ginny jumped as if they had been just caught red-handed in Snape's personal potions supply closet.

"Potter, you - how could you - I knew all along that–," ranted Snape without making much sense. His hair and cloak were askew and his usually sallow cheeks were flushed. Harry had never seen him so angry, not even after he'd spied in Snape's Pensieve last year.

"Yes, Professor?" said Harry politely. His heart was still hammering like crazy and he didn't like that look in Snape's eyes one bit, but he also refused to be intimated when he had done nothing terribly wrong. "It would be advisable to calm down, so I can understand what you're saying."

Ron and Ginny gaped while Hermione tried to hide a smirk. Snape took a few deep breaths and then stalked into the room, taking position in front of Harry and his messy mountain of half-finished essays.

Taking a final breath, Snape started his lecture. "Potter, I knew you were a stupid, self-centred brat, but that stunt you pulled yesterday night might even top the one in the Ministry! What were you thinking, talking to Malfoy as if you had no care in the world! Were you even thinking? Somehow I seriously doubt that!"

Harry regarded Snape's still fuming form coolly. "If I had known how to get out of there without looking too suspicious I would have done so, Professor." He snorted. "Don't look at me as if I'm stupid. I don't want to die just yet, even if you don't believe me."

"He's right Professor," said Ginny tentatively. "Harry wouldn't endanger Sirius and–"

"Shut up, Miss Weasley," snarled Snape, giving Ginny a very nasty look, "This is an argument between me and Potter. Kindly stay out of this if you value your head where it is." He turned back to Harry. His black eyes were blazing with fury. "I can't believe I'm even talking to you, Potter! Your stupidity is surpassing any expectations I had concerning you! By far! How can you have the cheek to provoke Lucius Malfoy of all people! Even I would have given you more credit." He lowered his voice a bit, making it sound like an impatient snarl rather than an angry shout. "Now I owe Moody five galleons because I had faith in your two brain cells and he didn't." He sneered. "But then again one never ceases to learn." He threw Harry a last, venomous glare, turned on his heel and stalked away. In the doorframe, however, he halted and turned halfway around. "Before I forget it, Potter, you have detention on Monday, first day back in school. In my office, eight o'clock sharp."

"For what?" Harry asked angrily. "We have holidays, you can't give me detention!"

"You're just witnessing the impressive act of me doing exactly that," said Snape haughtily. "And for the reason, I thought that was obvious. Stupidity needs to be punished, although I do see that you are a lost cause. I usually am not into torture, Potter, but we need your head on your shoulders, not as a bowling ball for the Dark Lord's private collection. And I will attempt to pound a modicum of common sense in that thick skull of yours."

"I'm touched," replied Harry dryly. "And I will keep your sage advice in mind in case Malfoy decides to come on to me again."

"The wisest thing to do in such a situation, Potter, is to turn on your heel and run." Snape's lip curved in dismay. "Pride be damned. Potter. You still need to learn that lesson." With that he finally turned around and left the room, slamming the door in his wake.

Harry breathed deeply and then slammed his half-filled quill angrily down. Ink spattered all over the table. Ginny cursed.

"I can't believe he's giving me detention!" said Harry, fuming. "As if he's never been in such a situation!"

"Yes, but he's older and more experienced," said Hermione carefully. "Look, Harry, he's bitching now but he's also worrying. The Order needs you for the war, they can't afford to lose you like that."

"There's always Neville," said Harry petulantly. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I might be the one with the scar but Neville is also good at duelling."

Ginny grinned. "You-Know-Who is a moron, but then we already knew that."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "Voldemort concentrates on you. He thinks he has marked his sworn enemy. Besides, Neville's school scores leave room for doubt, don't you think?" She smirked. "I hope Neville will make them regret their haughtiness. It's better to overestimate your enemies than the other way around."

The others nodded thoughtfully. Then Harry stretched and looked at his homework. "Well, I for my part want them to overestimate me. Would you give me a hand, 'Mione?" He grinned at her, pleased that she rolled with her eyes before she left her seat and plopped down next to him.

"That's so unfair," muttered Ron. He was scooting closer nonetheless.

Harry gave Hermione his DADA essay, looking expectantly at her. She read it over quickly and then sighed.

"Harry, it's just the book! How can you make a mistake copying it?" Hermione asked incredulously when she was done reading.

"Oh, I changed the word order here and there," said Harry with false innocence. "Am I not a good boy?"

"I'm overjoyed," replied Hermione dryly and put it back on the table. "That's okay, Harry. Do you have anything else?"

"Yeah, History of Magic. It went well until I was stuck at the revolution of Humphrey the Hunchback. Somehow I don't quite understand his motives," said Harry.

"Oh, that's easy." Hermione glanced at Ron. "You might want to take notes," she said, smirking.

Harry and Ron took notes while Hermione explained how Humphrey the Hunchback managed to gather followers for his cause and why the revolution was futile in the end. Ginny in the meantime finished her own essay for Binns and then it was almost time for lunch.

Hermione made them clear the Living Room and went to help Mrs Weasley. Harry and Ron exchanged a look, then shrugged and put their stuff back into their rooms.

Harry was irritated that he had to ask somebody to spell his homework clean later. As much as some teachers tolerated teenager scrawl and the occasional folded edge of parchment, Harry didn't believe they would take kindly to ink-smeared work.

Dinner was a rather quiet affair. Snape was still seething at Harry. Hermione, who had sat next to Harry, made it her duty to smile at Snape which only served to infuriate the man even more. Ron apparently found it funny because he sneered the whole time while Ginny elbowed him in the ribs every three minutes. Harry hoped Ron would be sore later.

Mrs Weasley glared at each of them in turn, scowling at Snape and Ron the most. Dumbledore and McGonagall chose to ignore the bad vibes at the table. Harry noticed that Mr Weasley wasn't present, again. He thought briefly about asking Mrs Weasley but decided quickly against it when he saw her frowning face.

After dinner Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron retreated into the warded room on the fourth floor. Nobody was really up to do much, but Harry felt he needed to vent some frustration.

"You know that Snape is just worried," said Hermione after Harry had blasted a shabby stool into pieces.

"He has a funny way of showing it," growled Harry back, sending the Reductor Curse at the poor piece of furniture for good measure. "I just wish he hadn't said anything."

"Let it go, Harry," said Ginny. "We know it's not your fault that Fudge came into that restaurant."

Harry snorted. Snape and the other adults certainly thought so, despite the ridiculousness of that accusation.

"They are all under a lot of stress," said Hermione calmly. "I can imagine what they have to face now. Narcissa Malfoy at the Ministry, no Muggle departments anymore, new decrees by Umbridge …"

"There will be some, right?" snarled Ron. He looked ready to punch Umbridge into a bloody pulp. "I wished the stupid bitch would just snuff it." He trampled on Harry's smashed stool with an expression of utter satisfaction on his face. Ginny winced at the brutal crunching sounds. "Maybe someone has a kind heart and does it before there'll be mutiny at the Ministry."

"I would do it," said Harry. "But I'm supposed to be the goody-two-shoes. Besides, Dumbledore would have a fit and I'm not too sure he would be able to get me out of prison for snuffing Umbridge."

"Impressive what one gets for being a hero," said Ron bitterly. "Overthrowing someone like Umbridge should be legal." He kicked the trashed stool one last time before he made it vanish with a quick wave of his wand.

"That was impressive, Ron," said Hermione, mildly surprised.

"Yeah, I learned to do Evanesco silently," replied Ron sheepishly.

"Whatever for?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

Ron blushed uncomfortably. "Well, for crumps in my bed!"

Harry coughed to stifle his laughter. "Well then, are you up for some more wandless magic?" he asked pleasantly.

Hermione nodded. "Of course. I think I'm just about to get the hang of it."

Ginny and Ron agreed as well, so Harry conjured four pillows for them to try summoning. They were rather unmotivated today; Harry still had a somewhat heavy head from yesterday night's escapade and Hermione, Ron and Ginny simply seemed to be caught by the holiday laziness. But somehow their unhurried work made it all the better. Hermione managed to summon her pillow at the end of their session almost flawlessly, and Ron too was rather successful in beckoning it closer. Harry held back for the sake of his friends, although he was rather bored. He wanted to try other things but reckoned they would just be unsettled if he moved on too quickly.

Later, when Harry was lying in his bed, he was thinking hard about his magic and the things he still had to learn. Occlumency was slowly coming to him, as well as Legilimency. Word- and wandless magic was important for him and his DA. They needed to be able to help themselves. Harry now knew that this was war and that they had to use every advantage they had.

Harry spent an obscene amount of time working on his defence mechanisms that night. All his memories concerning his whereabouts or Malfoy's visits to Hogwarts or The Kiss were stowed in his Pensieve as usual, but still. It was not worth risking discovery at all. So he worked and sneered inwardly about the rage Voldemort would feel.

Voldemort was always in rage when he noticed the new layers of protection over Harry's mind. Despite the cold fear he felt when Voldemort approached him in his dreams Harry felt smug and not just a bit defiant and daring. But he knew that now was not the time to taunt Voldemort. Later maybe, when he was fully trained in Occlumency. He knew that some Muggle poet had said the best way to overcome fear was to mock it. How else could the Ridiculous Charm work so well on Boggarts? If he just knew who the wise poet was. He would love to send flowers.


End of chapter 8